Kuala lumpur: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) remains committed to driving innovation through research that delivers real-world impact, said deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Technologist Dr Intan Zaurah Mat Darus. She emphasized the university’s dedication to global excellence by promoting transdisciplinary research and strengthening international collaborations through the Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) and the AHIBS-ACT 2025 Conference.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the conference emphasized action, connection, and purpose, weaving together diverse strands of thought, practice, and community to create lasting impact. AHIBS-ACT has evolved into a platform where the boundaries between theory and practice are blurred, allowing real solutions to emerge. In her welcoming remarks at the conference, officiated by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Dr Intan Zaurah highlighted the role of UTM in setting a standard for business schools across the region.
The event, held from July 15 to 16 under the theme ‘Weaving Horizons for Sustainable Impact,’ gathered policymakers, academics, industry leaders, NGOs, and representatives from marginalized communities across ASEAN and beyond. It featured transdisciplinary research with real-world applications and community-led initiatives by AHIBS and UTM, reflecting academia’s role in advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
Aligned with UTM’s ASCEND2030 roadmap, the conference reaffirmed AHIBS’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities through meaningful engagement. The National Forum on Digital Health Leadership, featuring Ministry of Health Chief Secretary Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, opened the event, exploring Malaysia’s digital health strategy and the need for a people-centric, future-ready healthcare system.
In his keynote address, Shamsul Azri underscored AHIBS’s role in bridging research and real-world challenges, contributing to a competitive and compassionate Malaysia. He praised AHIBS for its excellence in internationalization and its dedication to communities often left at the margins, emphasizing that true progress involves lifting others as we advance.
He expressed gratitude to all contributors to the conference’s success, acknowledging their efforts in creating a space where purpose takes root and sustainable impact begins to grow. Shamsul Azri concluded by expressing hope that the conference would guide future work, focusing on enduring impact and intention.