UMPSA VC participates in MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum Series 11, strengthening ummah unity in geopolitical crises

PUTRAJAYA, 25 April 2026 — The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah Alias, attended the MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum (FIM) Series 11 titled ‘Muslim Unity in Times of Geopolitical Crisis’, which was recently held at Kompleks Seri Perdana.

The event witnessed the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, serving as the main moderator.
The forum featured a panel comprising Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University, Necmettin Bilal Erdoğan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), YB Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Director of the Islamic Institute for Development and Research (IIDR), Sharif Hasan Al-Banna, and Associate Professor Dr. Khairudin Aljunied from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, international football icon Mesut Özil, as well as cabinet ministers.

According to Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah, among the key takeaways from the forum was the emphasis that Muslim unity is no longer merely a strategic option, but an urgent necessity amid increasingly complex global conflicts.

“Under the MADANI framework, Malaysia will continue to be a strong voice in promoting moderation, justice, and solutions based on knowledge and diplomacy in addressing today’s global uncertainties.

“FIM Series 11 demonstrates the commitment of the MADANI Government and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in creating an open dialogue space between leaders, scholars, and society in seeking collective solutions to the greatest challenges facing the Muslim world today.

“The strong Malaysia–Türkiye relations provide greater opportunities to explore significant potential in the sectors of AI, aerospace, green technology, and digital transformation,” she said.

In another development, in conjunction with the Malaysia–Republic of Türkiye Joint Committee (JC) Meeting on Cooperation in Higher Education held in Penang on 28 April recently, Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah also shared her experiences during a presentation session titled ‘Strengthening Malaysia–Türkiye Collaboration in Industry-Based TVET and Global Talent Development’.

She expressed her gratitude to Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir and her appreciation to colleagues from Malaysia and Türkiye for the highly meaningful and open discussions.

The session also provided a valuable platform to exchange views and explore the potential to strengthen collaboration in higher education.

By: Mimi Rabita Haji Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Ts. Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press