UPC Strengthens Ties With IPTS, Strategic Partners To Boost Academic Publishing

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- The University Press Consortium (UPC) is strengthening collaboration with higher education institutions (IPTs), university presses, research organisations, industry players and strategic partners both locally and internationally to elevate Malaysian academic publishing to the global stage.

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) rector Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar said various initiatives are being implemented to enhance the internationalisation, accessibility and impact of the country's academic publications, enabling the research and academic writings of local scholars to benefit the global community.

“This collaboration will enhance recognition of the expertise and innovations developed in Malaysia. Efforts to improve access to academic content will be strengthened through the use of digital platforms, the latest publishing technologies and the wider adoption of open-access practices.

“These measures will also support faster, more inclusive and more effective knowledge-sharing across geographical boundaries and academic disciplines,” he said in a statement today.

He said this at the strategic collaboration ceremony between IIUM Press and UPC-Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM), as well as the launch of IIUM Press Books 2026, yesterday.

Also present were National Book Awards Secretariat chairman Dr Hasan Hamzah, National Book Development Fund chairman Datuk Seri Dr Nor Hisham Mohd Noor, UPC chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Anuwar Ali, and IIUM Press director Prof Dr Nor Lide Abu Kassim.

Osman said the aspiration would strengthen Malaysia's reputation in higher education and research, while also contributing to the development of a knowledge-based economy at both the national and international levels.

Meanwhile, MPM secretary Datuk Dr Hasan Mad said the National Book Development Foundation (YPBN) and MPM would continue to encourage the production of high-impact academic works that are relevant to societal needs and the national development agenda through the organisation of awards programmes.

“YPBN and MPM will focus on the adoption of rapidly evolving digital publishing technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance the efficiency, accessibility and impact of scholarly publishing,” he said.

Hasan, who is also chairman of the National Book Awards Steering Committee, said the use of new technologies could accelerate editorial processes, expand the reach of academic content to global audiences, and create a more dynamic publishing ecosystem.

“Digital transformation and the use of AI are no longer optional but have become a necessity to ensure that the university publishing industry remains relevant, competitive and capable of meeting the demands of an ever-evolving knowledge landscape,” he said.

-- BERNAMA