Putrajaya: Public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs) are being called upon to extend their roles beyond academic achievements and become active contributors to national growth, social reconciliation, and community problem-solving, according to Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman. Speaking at the launch of Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Synergy Month 2026 programme, Dr Azlinda emphasized the necessity for universities to translate financial allocations into tangible impacts on both national and global levels.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Azlinda highlighted that the UPM Synergy Month 2026 program, which will run throughout June, stands as a strategic initiative reflecting UPM's commitment to a holistic implementation of its university agenda. The program aims to engage the entire campus community actively, signaling to industries, communities, and the government that UPM's discoveries and innovations are poised to contribute to global sustainability.

The initiative is structured around five strategic focus areas: agriculture and food security, planetary health and sustainability, global prominence, community well-being, and Jiwa Putra, UPM's volunteerism initiative involving staff and students. Dr Azlinda noted that the program fosters a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and togetherness, advancing initiatives beneficial to society, industry, and the nation.

Furthermore, UPM vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah remarked on the university's significant moral and academic responsibility as a leading repository of knowledge in agriculture and sustainability. He stressed that universities should not remain passive entities producing academic papers but should act as leaders, living laboratories, and key drivers of solutions to global crises, striking a balance between human well-being and the natural environment.