JOHOR BAHRU, Feb 19—On February 19, 2025, a delegation from Hanyang University, South Korea, completed a successful benchmarking visit to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Hosted by UTM International, the visit aimed to examine UTM’s best practices in international collaboration, policy development, reputation management, and alumni engagement and acknowledge UTM’s increasing influence in global higher education.
Under the leadership of Angie Lee, Deputy General Manager of Hanyang University’s Office of Budget and Planning, the delegation participated in a series of meetings with key UTM departments, including the Office of Strategy & Corporate Affairs (OSCA), the Department of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) (JTNCPI), and the Office of UTM Alumni. As the primary host of the visit, UTM International highlighted the university’s commitment to global engagement and knowledge exchange.
Founded in 1939, Hanyang University is a prestigious private research university in South Korea. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and globally (currently 19th in Asia and 162nd worldwide), offering a wide array of programs across 25 colleges and 18 graduate schools. The university’s focus on practical education and international collaboration is evident through its extensive network of over 800 partner institutions worldwide.
The visit was initiated by Hanyang to learn from UTM’s best practices, particularly those that have significantly contributed to its improved position in global rankings, such as the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. Angie Lee acknowledged UTM’s leadership and expressed a keen interest in understanding the strategies behind its achievements. The discussions during the visit focused on UTM’s methods for fostering global partnerships, aligning research with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), building a robust international reputation, and engaging alumni.
UTM has established significant ties with South Korea, demonstrated by its 10 active partnerships with various universities and higher education institutions, including Seoul National University, the University of Seoul, and Chonnam National University. These collaborations cover various activities, from student mobility programs to joint publications, supervision, international internships, and joint conferences, illustrating a strong commitment to academic and research exchange.
The visit concluded with both universities expressing a strong commitment to exploring future academic and research collaborations and initiatives for knowledge sharing. This exchange marks a promising step towards a robust partnership between Hanyang University and UTM, highlighting UTM’s increasing influence as a global leader in higher education.
Prepared by: Ahmad Hilman Borhan and Norhaiza Daud, Global Strategy & Engagement, UTM International