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Forging Alliance: Humanities and Social Sciences Global Summit

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 3 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted the first global summit for the field of humanities and social sciences, featuring a Roundtable Discussion and Exchange Ceremony, welcoming leaders from prominent international institutions to collaborate on advancing innovation, inclusivity and impact for sustainable futures. Championed by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), the summit marked a significant step forward in international strategic alliance and partnerships.

Photo during arrival of some of the senior delegates from international universities

Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) of UTM, in his welcoming remarks, expressed his honour in convening the event. Among the distinguished delegates were Dr. Ir. H. Abd. Rakhim Nanda, Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar, Indonesia, and Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, Vice Chancellor of Taraba State University (TSU), Nigeria. Senior delegates from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Universitas Bengkulu (UNIB), Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), and Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) were also present, underscoring the international significance of the gathering. Virtually, representatives from several other universities were also present.

Senior delegates from various international universities

Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry outlined five pillars for advancing sustainability in higher education: leveraging innovation through digital technologies, fostering inclusivity in learning environments, prioritizing social impact by addressing global challenges, promoting global citizenship through international collaborations, and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to develop solutions for complex, global issues.

Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), UTM, delivering his opening and welcoming remarks

Adding to the collaborative spirit, the Rector of Unismuh Makassar and the Vice Chancellor of TSU delivered insightful guest speeches, sharing their visions on the future of innovation, inclusivity, and social impact in education. Dr. Ir. H. Abd. Rakhim Nanda emphasised on the pathways to achieve transformation – Green, Islamic and Futuristic. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Sunday Bako pointed out interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and inclusive practices, including ways to measure impact.

Rahim
Dr. Ir. H. Abd. Rakhim Nanda, Rector of Unismuh Makassar, Indonesia
Sunday Bako
Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, Vice Chancellor of TSU, Nigeria

The heart of the event was the Roundtable Discussion, where three key agendas for 2025 were outlined, each designed to strengthen academic partnerships and promote global citizenship. During the roundtable, leaders discussed academic and research collaboration for 2025, focusing on joint projects and interdisciplinary initiatives. They also planned to co-host the Humanities and Social Sciences Summit 2025, featuring a Student Showcase 2025, with UAD, Yogyakarta, Indonesia as the physical host. Additionally, delegates committed to forming a Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Alliance to foster global partnerships and long-term knowledge sharing.

UAD
Delegates from UAD involving kecturers and students

The event also featured the Agreement Exchange Ceremony, including a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTM and Unismuh Makassar, and a Letter of Collaboration  (LoC) with TSU. The agreements were exchanged by Professor Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, UTM Vice Chancellor. The agreements solidify commitments to joint academic and research initiatives, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation across institutions.

UNISMUH Exchange
Exchange of MoA and MoU with Unismuh Makassar

 

Taraba Exchange
Exchange of LoC with TSU

 

group photo
Group photo with UTM Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Shafry expressed his hope that the summit would inspire lasting change and lead to actionable strategies for global collaboration. “Let us take the ideas and insights from today and turn them into action that drives positive change in our institutions and beyond,” he urged.

UNAIR
Delegates from UNAIR

 

UNIB
Delegates from UNIB

The event also serves as a prelude to the Royal Intellectual Forum 2024, and the International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities 2024, co-organized by UTM and UNAIR. Through events like this, UTM continues to strengthen its role as a global hub for academic collaboration, paving the way for future advancements in social sciences and humanities. Photos of the event are available on FSSH Facebook Page, Humanities@UTM.

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