The Postgraduate Students Society (PGSS) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) representatives participated at the Global Student Leaders Summit 2024 (GSLS ’24), showcasing the university’s commitment to cultivating international leadership skills and academic excellence. Organized by the Council of Leadership and Training of Malaysian Universities (MAKLUM) under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE), the summit took place from 9 to 14 September 2024 at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Political Sciences.
The summit, which focused on the theme “Nurturing Tomorrow’s Global Leaders,” brought together student leaders from Malaysia and various countries to participate in keynote addresses, research presentations, leadership forums, and a study tour of Istanbul. The PGSS UTM representatives were sponsored by the School of Graduate Studies UTM, allowing them to participate fully and engage in this global event.
The Opening Ceremony on 9 September featured inspiring speeches by Professor Dr. Cemil Kaya, Deputy Rector of Istanbul University, and Mr Hirman Awang, Director of the Student Affairs Division, MOHE. Both emphasized the critical role of student leadership in shaping future global cooperation.
Distinguished Keynote Speakers included:
• Prof. Dr. Shaharum Shamsuddin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Development Affairs and Alumni), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Chairman of MAKLUM, presented “Transformation Centre for People with Disability @ USM – An Evolution of Everlasting Hope”.
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Nur TUNCER-KILINÇ, Head of Istanbul University International Academic Relations Department, discussed “From Campus to Global Leadership: The Path Through Science”.
• Dr. Zurina Abdul Ghani, Director of the Leadership Centre at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), delivered an insightful talk on “Values-Based Leadership Towards Communiversity (University for Community)”.
• Prof. Dr. Gülistan Çiğdem YALÇIN, Istanbul University, Türkiye elaborated on her talk titled, “Raising Future Global Leaders with Complexity Theory Approach”.
On 10 September, the second day of the summit, participants had the opportunity to explore the historical campus of Istanbul University and engage in a Leadership Dialogue titled “Global Leadership: The Role of Student Leaders in Shaping a Better World”. The panel, moderated by Mr. Wan Amsyar Hadie Wan Mahadi, former President of the Malaysian National Student Consultative Council (MPPK), featured prominent postgraduate student leaders from Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, and Russia. The summit ended with the prize-giving ceremony by the Guest of Honour, Madam Mardiah Sabri, Consul/Head of Chancery, Consulate General of Malaysia in Istanbul.
PGSS UTM’s members made notable contributions through their research presentations, addressing critical issues and proposing innovative solutions in their respective fields and for the betterment of postgraduate students and society in UTM. The following postgraduate representatives from PGSS UTM delivered impactful presentations:
• Nur Aqila Kadir Hussein, PhD, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM) presented her research on “Design Approaches of Metallic Functionally Graded Porous Scaffold (FGPS)”.
• Mohamad Aizad Mohd Mokhtar, PhD, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) presented his paper, “Strategic SWOT Analysis for Advancing Postgraduate Student Society in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia”.
• Muhammad Ramziuddin Zakaria, PhD, Faculty of Science elaborated his paper on “Postgraduate Training Needs at UTM: A Systematic Review of Student Challenges “.
• Teo Kok Wei, PhD, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) presented his paper on “Artificial Intelligence-Based Wayfinding Systems in Recreational Parks: Enhancing Elderly Navigation and User Experience”.
• Evarina Amiron, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) received an Honourable Mention Award for her paper on “Synthesizing Industry Demands for Fourth Industrial Revolution Skills in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Curriculum”.
Following the academic portion of the summit, participants engaged in a three-day study tour of Istanbul, exploring the rich cultural heritage of the city. Visits included the Camlica Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Galataport, Taksim Square, Istikalal Street and a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus. These activities provided a perfect blend of cultural immersion and networking opportunities for the student leaders.
Participation in GSLS 2024 not only enriched the postgraduate students’ academic and leadership experiences but also strengthened UTM’s position as a premier institution for global student development. PGSS UTM continues to empower its members to become impactful leaders and change-makers on the global stage.
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