Medan: Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, was today proclaimed the first Chancellor of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) for a five-year term, effective today, at a ceremony held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), here.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Indonesia's Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, who is also Secretary-General of the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah, Prof Dr Abdul Mu'ti, presented the proclamation instrument. He represented Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board Chairman, Prof Haedar Nashir.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, in his royal address, expressed hope that UMAM's growth would always go hand in hand with improvements in academic quality, research integrity, student welfare, and character development. His Royal Highness emphasized that a university's progress should not be measured solely by the number of students, programs, or institutional achievements, but also by the quality of its graduates and the benefits they contribute to society.
The Chancellor expressed a desire for UMAM to strengthen research in areas relevant to current needs, expand international networks, and build strategic partnerships with Muhammadiyah universities and higher education institutions in other Southeast Asian countries. Also in attendance were Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, and their daughter, Hajah Farah Adriana Jamalullail.
In the context of Malaysia-Indonesia relations, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra expressed hope that UMAM would continue to serve as a bridge of friendship, strengthening ties between the two countries. He highlighted the strength of educational ties, which connect institutions and build networks of people, ideas, and experiences across generations.
He further stated that UMAM has great potential to strengthen its role in the ASEAN higher education agenda. The presence of students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand provides a strong foundation for building a broader, dynamic academic community. The Chancellor expressed confidence that, with strong leadership, sound governance, and the commitment of the entire university community, UMAM could develop sustainably and establish itself as a respected higher education institution at both national and regional levels.