USM BUILDS STRATEGIC EDUCATION BRIDGES WITH ASIAN AND AFRICAN MISSIONS AT USM@KL

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 July 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) advanced its global engagement agenda through the USM Engagement Session with Foreign Embassies and High Commissions in Malaysia, bringing together foreign diplomatic missions in a strategic effort to expand international collaboration in higher education, research, innovation, student mobility and talent development.

Held at USM@KL, Level 15, Menara MOF Inc, Platinum Park, Kuala Lumpur, the session served as a high-level platform for USM to strengthen institutional ties with diplomatic representatives and explore new pathways for academic partnerships, postgraduate recruitment, research collaboration and international student admission.

The engagement brought together five diplomatic missions, with Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan representing Asia, and Somalia representing Africa. Their presence reflected the growing importance of education diplomacy in building stronger people-to-people relations and advancing shared development priorities through knowledge, innovation and global academic cooperation.

Officiating the session, the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, FASc., reaffirmed USM’s commitment to strengthening its international footprint and positioning Malaysia as a preferred destination for world-class higher education.

He said higher education is no longer confined to classrooms and campuses, but has become a powerful instrument for building resilient societies, advancing sustainability and preparing future-ready graduates for a rapidly changing global environment.

“USM’s mission goes beyond academic excellence. As Malaysia’s only Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) university, we are committed to transforming higher education for a sustainable tomorrow while building bridges of knowledge, cultural understanding and global cooperation,” he said.

During the session, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted USM’s recent global achievements, including its ranking of 5th in the world in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, its continued global leadership as No. 1 for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, and its position at 128th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

These achievements, he noted, reflect USM’s growing global standing as a research-intensive university that continues to lead through sustainability, innovation, inclusivity and impactful partnerships.

The Vice-Chancellor also shared USM’s forward-looking academic direction, including the University’s move to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all academic programmes by the end of 2026. This initiative forms part of USM’s wider effort to future-proof graduates, enhance digital capability and respond to emerging global workforce needs.

With an international student community representing more than 80 countries, USM continues to strengthen its global ecosystem through postgraduate pathways, mobility programmes, student support services, cultural integration initiatives, scholarship opportunities and industry-relevant academic offerings.

A key focus of the engagement was also the introduction of USM@KL as USM’s strategic Kuala Lumpur presence. Located in the heart of the capital city, USM@KL is positioned to enhance the University’s accessibility to diplomatic missions, international applicants, working professionals, alumni, corporate partners and government-linked stakeholders.

Through this engagement, USM aims to deepen cooperation with foreign diplomatic missions, expand student recruitment channels, strengthen research and mobility partnerships, and support Malaysia’s aspiration to become a leading global education hub.

The session stands as a defining expression of USM’s global ambition, opening new diplomatic and academic pathways that connect Malaysia with the wider world through education, research, innovation and shared human progress.

Guided by its motto, “Kami Memimpin” or “We Lead”, USM continues to lead with purpose and distinction, positioning itself as a world-class university that shapes future-ready graduates, builds enduring global partnerships and contributes meaningfully to a more sustainable, inclusive and interconnected world.

Text: Associate Professor Dr. Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail, Senior Editorial Consultant @ MPRC, USM/Photo: Muhamad Faris Darwisy Mohammad Rafiq