KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Feb. – The Ambassador GlobaLecture program features the Country Ambassadors to Malaysia – unveiling exceptional diplomatic experiences, notions of power and privilege in strengthening relations between their nations and other countries, while simultaneously communicating foreign development in the host country. As the home to nearly 5000 international students globally, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recognizes the importance of generating close and continued conversation with the Embassies to Malaysia to enhancing connectivity and collaboration in prospering global prominence of higher education institutions in the country.
Since 2020, UTM International has hosted the Excellency Ambassadors and dignitaries from Japan, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Romania, Australia, Belgium, India and South Africa as the Honorary Speakers for the auspices program. In view of internationalisation of higher education, it is of utmost importance to establish a closer rapport between UTM and Country Ambassadors in supporting the inclusion of the international students and staff members worldwide.
Currently we have 31 Palestinians students in UTM, 24 in Johor Bahru and 7 in Kuala Lumpur. UTM has taken several humble initiatives in aiding the Palestinian students. For your kind information, 15 students are completing their postgraduate studies while the remaining 16 students are undergraduate students. Various initiatives have been taken including financial aid as well as moral and counsel support to ensure that our Palestinian students may continue their studies comfortably and safely at UTM. Among them are the Serambi Al Quds sponsorship program, UTM Chancellor’s engagement with Palestinian students, UTM stands with Palestine, Palestinian Aid Fund, UTM Virtual Engagement with Gaza University, Palestine, Iftar with Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia and Johor Chief Minister’s Engagement with Palestinian students where each student were given financial aid amounting to RM1,000.00. We truly understand that despite these humble efforts, none may soothe the sadness embracing our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We hope that these efforts may ease at least the worries and trauma of our dear students studying in UTM.
The Serambi Al-Quds Program is a study sponsorship program for 10 Palestinian students to continue their postgraduate studies at UTM which was launched by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia on 16 July 2022 at the UTM Royal Gala Dinner. Under this program, the scholarship recipients receive RM100,000.00 to cover the living cost for three years.
Palestine & Peace – highlights peace as the only deliverance to overcoming the violent embrace of the Palestinians. His Excellency Mr. Walid Abu Ali, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Malaysia voyaged through the fraught, life-changing, and global movement supporting peace as the fundamental value of life through this platform. He addressed the current situation in Palestine following the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups which has been taking place since October 2023.
Prepared by:
Norhayati Abdullah
Su Zalpha Mohamed
UTM International Kuala Lumpur