UMPSA Raises RM87 Million In Endowment Through Industry And Community Support

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has successfully raised an endowment totalling RM87,022,391.37, contributed by industry partners and the community during the UMPSA Chancellor’s Tea Reception with Industry held today.

The event, which brought together more than 300 industry guests, including 49 international firms, government-linked companies (GLCs) and local partners, further strengthened the university’s financial sustainability in advancing global-standard research and teaching.

UMPSA Chancellor, the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, graced the event with Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, while also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his wife, as well as UMPSA Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Yatimah Alias.

At the event, Al-Sultan Abdullah also launched the Chancellor’s Endowment to support education, research and welfare initiatives for the university.

UMPSA had previously introduced five types of endowments, namely, Chairmainship; Research; Scholarship; Student Welfare; and Community and Alumni, each focusing on strengthening academic expertise, addressing industry needs and developing human capital.

Meanwhile, Zambry described UMPSA’s success in raising RM87 million in endowments as an excellent initiative to reinforce the financial resources of public universities.

He said the achievement proved the capability of local universities in generating new income streams through strategic collaborations with industry, community and alumni, thereby elevating UMPSA’s reputation on the global stage.

“I would like to congratulate UMPSA for successfully organising this very important event. With the launch of the endowment fund and the presence of the Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan Pahang, it clearly demonstrates strong commitment towards the university.

“This initiative has enabled UMPSA to raise RM87 million in endowment contributions. It represents a new approach for public universities in generating income for the sustainability and growth of their respective institutions,” he told reporters after the event.

Commenting on UMPSA’s position as one of the technical universities under the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), he said collaboration with industry showed that the institution remained dynamic and relevant to current needs.

“We have four universities under MTUN that focus on technical fields. With collaboration between universities and industry, various courses are offered based on industry needs, including in engineering and technology.

“Industry not only collaborates in research but is also present on campus to plan with the university on the latest technologies and workforce requirements.

“Such an approach is proof of how our universities remain relevant, innovative and capable of producing graduates who meet job market demands,” he said.

Zambry also dismissed claims that public universities were in crisis to the point of having to ‘auction off’ unpopular programmes, stressing instead that local universities consistently adapted their courses to align with industry developments.

-- BERNAMA