SERDANG, 6 August 2025 — The PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA) hosted the Preliminary Workshop on the Internationalisation Plan at the Wakaf Interactive Resource Arena (WIRA), Dewan Kuliah Akademik Pusat (DKAP), bringing together Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) academic and administrative leaders to prepare the university’s next phase of global engagement.

The Universiti Putra Malaysia Internationalisation Plan has been established to provide a structured framework for formulating, implementing, and monitoring strategic initiatives that strengthen UPM’s internationalisation agenda and support its vision of becoming a globally recognised institution. The pre-workshop served as an intensive platform for Heads of Responsibility Centres (PTJ) to evaluate current efforts, discuss data-driven strategies, and align priorities with UPM’s True North aspirations. Its objectives were to establish the strategic direction and coordinate inputs for the development of the plan, to design a clear and comprehensive action plan that would enhance the university’s internationalisation agenda, and to align key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting mechanisms for internationalisation achievements in a systematic and holistic manner.

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 Professor Dr. Zalilah Mohd Shariff, with Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad as facilitator and Ms. Nadjla Ahmad Razei as rapporteur. The RDICE Thrust Cluster was led 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 Mrs. Norhasliza Hassan as facilitator and Mrs. Ida Suhaila Md Tahir as rapporteur. 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, represented by Ms. Izzatul Akmal Zaaba, serving as rapporteur. The Branding and Positioning Thrust Cluster was led by Associate Professor Dr. Dahlia Zawawi, with Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin Mohd Harithuddin as facilitator and Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Farhan Boo Omar Boo as rapporteur. The Students and Alumni Thrust Cluster was headed by Associate Professor Dr. Hizmawati Madzin, with Mr. Dahlan Ismail Abu Bakar as facilitator and Mr. Abdul Razif Abdul Razak as rapporteur.

The later part of the morning was dedicated to presentations from each cluster, during which proposed strategies, action plans, and KPIs were shared. Among the highlights were initiatives to expand credit mobility opportunities, strengthen research collaborations with international institutions, enhance UPM’s digital and physical branding, and build alumni networks as ambassadors for the university worldwide.

The expected outcomes of the initiative are the development of a comprehensive UPM Internationalisation Plan that outlines strategic direction, key priorities, initiatives, and implementation at the PTJ level; the provision of a clear list of action plans and KPIs for each area of internationalisation, including academics, research, mobility, global partnerships, and community engagement; and the strengthening of internal collaboration among PTJs for a more integrated and coordinated implementation of internationalisation initiatives. These efforts will culminate in the publication of the Universiti Putra Malaysia Internationalisation Plan Book, which will serve as a guiding document for implementing and monitoring the university’s internationalisation initiatives.

The pre-workshop marked the first stage of a two-part process. The second stage, the Workshop on UPM’s Internationalisation Plan, is scheduled for 18 August 2025, where the framework and strategies discussed will be finalised. With its emphasis on strategic planning, knowledge sharing, and coordinated action, this initiative represents a pivotal step in reinforcing UPM’s readiness to seize global opportunities and advance its position as a united, innovative, and internationally competitive institution.

Date of Input: 12/08/2025 | Updated: 12/08/2025 | nurulshabila