UTM Charts Global Engagement at ICESCO Vice Chancellors’ Forum in Rabat

Centre for Corporate Communications | Rohaizan Khairul Anuar

Rabat, 23 June 2025 – The sixth edition of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum of Universities in the Islamic World commenced at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco. Themed “Reimagining Higher Education in the Islamic World: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Impact”, the forum brought together higher education leaders from across the Islamic world to exchange ideas and catalyse transformative collaboration.

The event was organised in partnership with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and Baku State University, Azerbaijan.

Representing Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Husain, Associate Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Global Eminence), who also served as a panellist in two key sessions that explored the future direction of global Islamic academia.

As the sole representative from Malaysia, UTM’s presence at the forum underscores the university’s deepening commitment to strategic internationalisation, particularly within the context of its up and coming institutional strategic plan, ASCEND 2030, which outlines UTM’s aspiration to become a values-driven global university with enduring societal impact.

Dr. Abdul Rashid contributed to a panel on “Globalization and Compatibility of Higher Education in the Islamic World,” chaired by Prof. Dr. Usman Ghani (Director, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan), with Mr. Awais Ahmad from Pakistan’s HEC serving as panel convener. In his remarks, Dr. Abdul Rashid emphasised the importance of preserving cultural identity while embracing global academic frameworks.

“For universities in the Islamic world, globalisation must be approached not as assimilation, but as intelligent adaptation,” he said. “We need to retain our ethical grounding while pursuing innovation and excellence that can compete internationally.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Husain seated far right in the panel sessions

In a second track, “Universities of Tomorrow: Catalyzing Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” chaired by Mr. Azzeddine Ismail (Advisor to Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Businesses, Employment and Skills), with Prof. Raheel Qamar (Head of Science and Environment Sector, ICESCO) as panel convener, Dr. Abdul Rashid highlighted UTM’s initiatives in nurturing a robust innovation ecosystem.

“At UTM, we view innovation as a responsibility to uplift communities, create sustainable technologies, and solve real-world challenges ethically. Entrepreneurship must be deeply integrated into the academic experience,” he said.

These engagements are closely aligned with ASCEND 2030, UTM’s new strategic plan which will place high impact international collaboration, research diplomacy, and transdisciplinary innovation at the forefront.

“Through ASCEND 2030, we are positioning UTM not just as a participant in global conversations, but as a shaping force,” added Dr. Abdul Rashid. “Our approach to global eminence is not about size or prestige alone, but about the substance of impact, relevance, and values.”

With UTM continuing to strengthen its role in multilateral academic dialogues, its involvement in this prestigious forum reaffirms the university’s belief in cross-border partnerships, especially within the Islamic world as a powerful platform to advance inclusive, sustainable, and transformative education for the future.