JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 2 (Bernama ) -- UTM Global Connect 2024, a premier global integrated innovation programme hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here, is dedicated to driving innovation and fostering strong global partnerships, serving as a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering collaborations between UTM and international partners.
The inaugural event marked a significant milestone in advancing cutting-edge research, transformative education and pioneering technological solutions while addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development.
UTM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim said five signature programmes – the World Technology Universities Congress (WTUC), the New Academia Learning Innovations (NALI), the Industrial Art and Technology Exhibition (INATEX) 2024, the 2024 Innovation Festival, and Leaders Go Global – are designed to inspire fresh perspectives and foster new collaborations, creating an atmosphere that energises attendees with the wealth of ideas and connections.
“The WTUC stood out as an internationally acclaimed event that gathered representatives from 40 universities across 20 countries that focused on building global partnerships to tackle urgent environmental and societal challenges,” he told a press conference here today.
He said that the congress offered a unique platform for global experts to exchange knowledge and present innovative solutions, making participants feel that their involvement directly contributed to promoting sustainable development and advancing planetary wellbeing.
“The World Technology Congress has been held several times, but this is the first time it is being held in Malaysia to discuss planetary health and other key issues. Next year, as Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship, this programme holds great significance in our efforts to lead ASEAN in finding solutions for planetary health.
“...advancements in technology require us to embrace green energy. We need more energy, but we don’t have many more resources from the petroleum,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford and Chair of the World Technology Universities Network, said that UTM played a significant role in the network as a global leader in sustainability.
“UTM is one of the founding members of the world technologies in congress. They play as a driving force to make sure our network focuses on world sustainability. They want to take this opportunity to gather leaders from across the world from our network to be able to share perspectives and promote further world technology.
“It’s really important UTM are being very clear about their strategic priority. They know that they can lead the world and really want to connect on the core problem of what is happening to our planet,” she said.
Congdon noted that the congress convenes annually to assess the challenges faced and to share best practices aimed at addressing these issues.
In the meantime, UTM International director Associate Prof Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan said the programme has significantly enhanced the university’s global standing, solidifying its partnerships with renowned international institutions.
He said that by bringing together some of the brightest minds from academia and industry, the event sparked impactful research and cultivated a culture of innovation across various fields, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of research, education, and technological advancement.
“This initiative actually focuses on the element of planetary health, which has been highlighted as a critical area of concern. By addressing this issue, we can come up with a framework for Malaysia, especially for Malaysian higher education institutions, to tackle challenges related to planetary health.
The WTUC, themed “Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health”, brought together over 1,000 representatives from 40 universities across 20 countries.
-- BERNAMA
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