AI Is a Necessity for Higher Education: Key Takeaways from UTM Global Connect 2025
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) opened UTM Global Connect 2025 with a clear message for higher education: AI is no longer optional. UTM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim put it bluntly - "Artificial Intelligence is not a novelty; it is a necessity."
The two-day summit in Johor Bahru brings together more than 90 leaders, policymakers, innovators and the public from 25 countries. The theme focuses on connection, innovation and sustainable futures - with AI as the common thread.
Why this matters for education leaders
Malaysia is backing AI capacity in higher education with intent. The Ministry of Higher Education has allocated RM50 million in 2025 under the MY AI NEXUS initiative to train 200,000 AI professionals by 2030. A 2023 National Professor Council survey found nearly 80% of Malaysian academics already use AI in teaching, and 88% support deeper integration in research.
UTM is reinforcing this shift as Malaysia's pioneer in establishing a dedicated Faculty of Artificial Intelligence. The expectation is clear: institutions that embed AI into strategy, curriculum and operations will stay relevant. Those that delay will fall behind.
What to implement now
- Set institutional AI policy and governance: clarify acceptable use, academic integrity, data security and model transparency.
- Upskill faculty and staff: run hands-on clinics for course design, assessment, feedback automation and research workflows.
- Redesign curriculum: integrate AI across disciplines with authentic projects, ethics, and domain-specific applications.
- Invest in infrastructure: secure data pipelines, computing access and model-management practices that meet compliance standards.
- Prioritise equity: provide device access, AI literacy support and multilingual resources to prevent new divides.
- Build partnerships: collaborate with industry, government and global peers for internships, applied research and talent pipelines.
- Measure outcomes: track learning gains, time saved, research throughput and employability to guide continuous improvement.
Inside UTM Global Connect 2025
The summit consolidates four flagship programmes under one platform:
- UTM University Presidents Forum (UPF 2025)
- New Academic Learning Innovation showcase (NALI 2025)
- 27th Industrial Art and Technology Exhibition and Competition (INATEX 2025)
- 4th D-8 NPRI Summit (D-8 NPRI 2025)
Belgium's Ambassador to Malaysia, Peter Van Acker, delivered a plenary on building university excellence in the intelligent age. His core message: adopt AI responsibly so technology serves people and reduces inequality, rather than widening divides.
Professor Mohd Shafry reminded participants that progress must align with human and ethical values. He framed UTM Global Connect as more than an academic meet-up - a global effort to drive a sustainable and inclusive future through education and innovation.
What to watch next
Early discussions have already sparked new collaborations. Expect stronger cross-border projects, faculty development programmes and AI-enabled learning models as outcomes from this summit.
Event details and updates are available on the official site: UTM Global Connect 2025.
Resource for upskilling
If you are planning structured staff or faculty training, explore curated AI course paths by role: AI courses by job role.
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