UTP Celebrates 25th Convocation, Marking A Quarter-century Of Excellence And Innovation

SERI ISKANDAR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) celebrated its 25th Convocation Ceremony on Oct 26 to 27, marking a major milestone in the university’s journey of nurturing future-ready graduates and driving innovation for the nation and beyond.

A total of 1,441 graduates received their scrolls, comprising 1,031 undergraduates, 326 Master’s, and 84 PhD graduates.

Presiding over the ceremony, Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim reminded graduates that they leave UTP not merely as alumni but as ambassadors of the institution.

“Uphold its credibility with integrity, embody its values with care, and let your success reflect the standards by which you were shaped,” she said.

She also urged graduates to be mindful of the challenges of the “post-truth” era, where the pursuit of knowledge must continue to be guided by honesty and purpose.

In his speech, UTP President Ir Mohamed Firouz Asnan, said this year’s convocation symbolises not only academic achievement but also 25 years of growth, resilience, and excellence.

He highlighted UTP’s recent accomplishments, including its strong performance in global university rankings. The university now stands in the 201–250 band in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, placing it among the top one per cent of universities worldwide, and maintaining its position as Malaysia’s No. 1 university and ASEAN’s top private university.

UTP also ranked 43rd in the THE Asia University Rankings and remains the nation’s leading private university for Engineering and Technology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

The university also retains its six-star MyRA (Malaysia Research Assessment) rating, reflecting the quality of its research and UTP’s role in driving innovation, tackling real-world challenges, and advancing Malaysia’s knowledge economy.

Beyond rankings, UTP continues to make an impact through meaningful research and innovation. Among its notable achievements, the Centre for Intelligent Signal and Imaging Research (CISIR) was recognised as a National Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCOE) by the Ministry of Higher Education for its pioneering work in neurotechnology for mental health, education, and workplace resilience.

Mohamed Firouz also highlighted innovations such as ELEFence, an AI-powered system that mitigates human–elephant conflict through smart monitoring and rapid response, and UTP’s ongoing work in carbon-capture technologies that support sustainability and societal progress.

As part of its campus transformation, UTP recently completed the Nadi@UTP Student Centre and Residential Village 6, designed to enhance student living and learning experiences. The university also aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050 through initiatives such as the Gentari–UTP Solar Project and the upcoming Warisan Hijau Trail, which will serve as a living laboratory for sustainability.

Reflecting UTP’s renewed vision, “at the forefront of technology education and research, enabling a better future,” Mohamed Firouz said the university continues to redefine engineering education through the UTP Full Potential Programme (UFPP) and the launch of the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering programme, the first of its kind in Malaysia.

The programme develops cross-disciplinary engineers who integrate mechanical, chemical, electrical, digital, and human systems in line with Industry 4.0 and sustainability goals.

Under its renewed mission, UTP’s focus goes beyond producing well-rounded graduates by supporting their lifelong learning journey.

The university’s Centre of Advanced & Professional Education (CAPE) offers executive-focused, industry-aligned programmes rooted in its research strengths and powered by EdTech, designed to help professionals continue growing and adapting throughout their careers.

Addressing the graduates, he reminded them that wherever they go, they carry the UTP DNA, technically brilliant, ethically grounded, and socially responsible, ready to serve as forces for positive change worldwide.

“You are not just engineers and technologists, you are architects of the future, shaping a world defined as much by how you uplift others as by what you create,” he said.

In celebration of the convocation ceremony’s Silver Jubilee, the event also featured the Alumni Homecoming and several community activities such as ConvoFest, ConvoDash running event, the UTP Daiwa Bass Master Challenge fishing competition, and ConvoRide cycling event.

-- BERNAMA