Raja Muda Of Perlis Proclaimed First Umam Chancellor For Five-year Term

From Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi

MEDAN, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, was today proclaimed the first Chancellor of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) for a five-year term, effective today, at a ceremony held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), here.

Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, who is also Secretary-General of the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah, Prof Dr Abdul Mu’ti, presented the proclamation instrument. He represented Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board Chairman, Prof Haedar Nashir.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, in his royal address, expressed hope that UMAM’s growth would always go hand in hand with improvements in academic quality, research integrity, student welfare and character development.

His Royal Highness said a university’s progress should not be measured solely by the number of students, programmes or institutional achievements, but also by the quality of its graduates and the benefits they contribute to society.

“As Chancellor, I want to see UMAM go further, by strengthening research in areas relevant to current needs, expanding international networks and building strategic partnerships with Muhammadiyah universities and higher education institutions in other Southeast Asian countries,” he said.

Also in attendance were Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil; and their daughter, Hajah Farah Adriana Jamalullail.

In the context of Malaysia-Indonesia relations, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra expressed hope that UMAM would continue to serve as a bridge of friendship, which strengthens ties between the two countries.

He said educational ties had their own strength, as they not only connected institutions, but also built networks of people, ideas and experiences which could transcend generations.

“At the same time, UMAM has great potential to strengthen its role in the ASEAN higher education agenda. The presence of students from our two Nusantara countries and Thailand provides a strong foundation for building a broader, dynamic and mutually complementary academic community,” he said.

He expressed confidence that, with strong leadership, sound governance and the commitment of the entire university community, UMAM could develop sustainably, and establish itself as a respected higher education institution at the national and regional levels.

-- BERNAMA