UTM Ready To Lead The Way In AI Development Nationwide

JOHOR BAHRU, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is poised to take the lead in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the country, particularly within higher education institutions (HEIs).

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim said that the university was ready to share its AI expertise with both public and private HEIs to support the government’s digital transformation initiatives, in accordance with the nation’s evolving needs.

He stressed that the initiative was crucial because AI technology spanned across all sectors and areas of expertise, making it an essential requirement for the future.

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“Last December, UTM invited all local public universities to a seminar on AI talent development to share experiences, encouraging them to also contribute to the growth of this field at their respective universities.

“UTM is developing a high-performance AI computing system, which will be used by students at this university and other universities. This system aims to expedite research and commercialisation,” he said during a press conference after delivering his maiden address as the new Vice-Chancellor of UTM today.

According to Mohd Shafry, UTM was not only focused on the internal development of AI but also on contributing expertise through the involvement of its lecturers in community activities.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement in Budget 2024 inspired the establishment of the Faculty of AI at UTM, which was successfully set up within four months through the collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. The first intake, involving 126 full-time students, took place on Sept 29 last year.

Commenting on the issue of graduate employability mismatch, Mohd Shafry stated that UTM had its own approach to producing graduates with human capital that met the demands of both local and international job markets.

“For three consecutive years, we have maintained a graduate employability rate of 99 to 100 per cent. However, the current challenge is to increase the premium income of local graduates.

“The strategy adopted to achieve this goal includes enhancing collaboration between HEIs and multinational companies, equipping graduates with the necessary skills, and improving learning experiences in line with employers’ needs,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Mohd Shafry shared that data from the 2023 graduates showed UTM had the highest percentage of first-class graduates, with a national premium employability rate of 18.5 per cent, a trend that had remained consistent for three consecutive years.

“This success is the result of a relevant curriculum and a carefully designed student development ecosystem, in line with the Government’s MADANI Policy, which prioritises a high-quality and high-income workforce,” he said.

In his address, themed 'UTM Sanjungan Bangsa: Strengthening the Credibility of the Institution,' Mohd Shafry also outlined five key focus areas that would shape the core direction for the research university this year.

He said that the five focus areas were the Vice-Chancellor Leadership Institution; Fostering the UTM Spirit; Strengthening Institutional Trust; Completing enVision UTM 2025; and the Culture of Wisdom and Well-being.

-- BERNAMA