Serdang, 18 August 2025 — Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) marked another milestone in its internationalisation journey with the Internationalisation Plan Workshop, held at the Faculty of Agriculture Hall and officiated by Vice Chancellor, Dato’ Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah.

Building on the momentum of the earlier Pre-Workshop Session, the workshop brought together UPM’s leadership, senior administrators, and internationalisation experts to chart the university’s future direction in alignment with the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (PPTM) 2025–2035.

The session underscored UPM’s determination to pursue quality-driven internationalisation in response to the shifting global education landscape. Discussions focused on how the university can adapt to the post-pandemic era, marked by rapid digitalisation, flexible mobility pathways, and evolving learner expectations. Speakers also stressed the role of educational diplomacy and strategic global partnerships in strengthening Malaysia’s visibility on the international academic stage, while highlighting the need to nurture globally competent graduates who are adaptable, future-ready, and capable of leading in a rapidly changing world.

Discussions were organised into six Internationalisation Plan Thrust Clusters, each addressing a distinct area of focus. The Academic and Transnational Education Thrust Cluster was led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad, with Associate Professor Dr. Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman as facilitator and Ms. Nur Nadjla Ahmad Razei as rapporteur. The RDICE Thrust Cluster was chaired by Professor Dr. Adzir Mahadi, with Dr. Amir Rizaan Abdul Rahiman as facilitator and Mr. Ahmad Afeeq Roslan as rapporteur. The Governance Thrust Cluster was headed by Mr. Muhazam Mansor, with Ms. Norhasliza Hassan as facilitator. The Global Engagement Thrust Cluster was led by Ts. Dr. Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, assisted by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik and Professor Dr. Ling King Hwa as facilitators, with Mr. Muhammad Azim Khairul Amir as rapporteur. The Branding and Positioning Thrust Cluster was headed by Associate Professor Dr. Dahlia Zawawi, with Mr. Noor Mohamad Shakil Hameed as facilitator and Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Farhan Boo Omar Boo as rapporteur. Finally, the Students and Alumni Thrust Cluster was led by Associate Professor Dr. Hizmawati Madzin, with Mr. Dahlan Ismail Abu Bakar as facilitator and Mr. Abdul Razif Abdul Razak as rapporteur.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the introduction of UPM’s Global Prominence Index (GPI), a pioneering initiative developed by the International Centre (i-PUTRA). The GPI is designed as a comprehensive scoring framework that benchmarks UPM’s international standing across five dimensions: student mobility, transnational education, research and innovation, governance, and global engagement. This index will not only guide UPM’s strategic planning but also serve as a measurable indicator of progress as the university advances its ambition to become a globally recognised education and research hub.

Throughout the workshop, participants reaffirmed UPM’s commitment to delivering world-class learning experiences and pursuing research with tangible impact. With established expertise in food security, precision agriculture, and sustainable development, the university continues to strengthen its contributions in addressing pressing global challenges while positioning itself as a trusted partner in international academia.

The outcomes of the workshop mark a transformative step forward in UPM’s journey, reinforcing its ambition to be recognised as a university of choice and a hub for global talent, innovation, and collaboration.

Date of Input: 26/08/2025 | Updated: 27/08/2025 | nurulshabila