As we stand at the threshold of an exciting era, I extend this message to the entire UiTM Sarawak community, emphasising our transformative theme for 2025: “Continuing the Excellence of UiTM Sarawak.” This theme reflects our commitment to elevate our standards within the university and extend our reach on state, national, and international levels, fostering an ecosystem that nurtures excellence among our academics, administrators, support staff, students, and alumni.

In this journey towards excellence, we aim to transform our institution into a leader in research, publications, and consulting while preparing our students holistically to possess a global mindset. It is imperative that our students graduate not only with knowledge but also with the skills and experiences necessary to navigate the complexities of the global landscape. Our goal is to achieve international recognition for our contributions and achievements, marking UiTM Sarawak as a distinguished name in higher education.

Essential to this vision is the Quintuple Helix engagement model, which embodies our strategy of smart partnerships with Academia, Government, Industry, Community, and the Environment. These partnerships will enrich our academic programs and research initiatives, promoting collaborative ventures that stimulate innovative solutions to societal challenges. The future of higher education also increasingly leans towards hybrid and online modalities, allowing us to adapt to changing educational landscapes. We must embrace these methodologies to expand our reach and enhance learning opportunities.

By 2028, we aim to increase the proportion of PhD holders within our academic community to 50%. This increase will empower our faculty to engage more deeply in research and teaching excellence. Moreover, we target an enrollment of 12,000 students, focusing on developing robust undergraduate and postgraduate programs while promoting lifelong learning and executive education. Flexible pathways such as credit transfers and inbound/outbound attachment programs with top-ranked universities and companies will create invaluable opportunities for our students, enhancing their educational experience and employability.

To further bolster the quality of our educational offerings, we will enhance our Centre of Professional & Executive Education. This centre will provide enhanced executive education and short courses, leading to certification from industries, professional bodies, and international universities. We will also take significant steps to co-organise reputable international conferences with strategic partners, facilitating knowledge exchange among top-tier institutions and professional entities.

Encouraging entrepreneurship among our students and graduates is a key focus area. By bolstering the role of our Career Development Centre and Entrepreneurship Centre, we aim to create an environment where aspiring entrepreneurs can flourish. This initiative is essential for individual success and the economic vitality of our state and nation.

Improving our MyRA rating is another critical goal. Elevating our research profile will contribute significantly to our strategic positioning. We will engage more proactively with industries through our campus-based initiatives, alumni networks, government collaborations, and community projects, creating a dynamic environment ripe for innovation and growth.

Enhancing our financial sustainability is paramount for realising our vision. We will actively explore avenues such as endowment funds, wakaf, zakat, and infaq to engage various stakeholders in supporting our initiatives. Additionally, introducing a comprehensive ecosystem of grants, incentives, and rewards for research and publications will incentivise excellence across all levels of the institution.

We will intensify our collaborative teaching efforts, engaging industry experts and professionals from national and international arenas through blended and hybrid learning approaches. This strategy will ensure our students benefit from real-world insights and practices, further enriching their educational journeys.

Finally, our ambition to achieve global prominence in higher education will be realised by empowering and strengthening our internationalisation activities. This will position UiTM Sarawak as an attractive institution for local and international students, fostering a vibrant academic community embodying diversity and inclusivity.

Together, let us embrace the transformative journey towards 2025, fostering an environment of excellence that meets the evolving demands of our society, industry, and global community. I invite each member of the UiTM Sarawak family to contribute actively to this vision as we strive to create a legacy of pride, achievement, and transformative change.

Let us move forward with clarity, purpose, and determination, fully confident that the future we build at UiTM Sarawak will inspire future generations.