UMPSA strengthens global engagement at APAIE 2025 in Delhi

DELHI, INDIA, 25 March 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) continued to elevate its international profile through participation in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2025 Conference, held from 25 to 27 March 2025 at the India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), New Delhi. 

This annual event brings together higher education institutions, policymakers, and international partners from across the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the world to exchange ideas, forge collaborations, and advance the global education agenda.

UMPSA was represented by Director of the Centre for International Relations, Associate Professor Dr.-Ing. Mohd Azmir Mohd Azhari, and Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. 

Both were invited to speak at two dedicated sessions, sharing UMPSA’s unique perspectives and initiatives that reflect its commitment to internationalisation and educational innovation.

The first session, titled “Global Education Impact: Enhancing Graduate Values via Dual Degree Programmes and International Partnerships”, was co-presented with Ann Katrin Muller from Technische Hochschule Mannheim, Germany. 

This session explored how dual degree programmes equip students with global competencies, cross-cultural understanding, and industry-relevant skills. 

It also introduced the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) model from Germany, which integrates practical learning, industrial collaboration, and applied research, a model that UMPSA has adopted through its growing international partnerships.

Technische Hochschule Mannheim is among UMPSA’s strategic partners in offering dual degree programmes in Chemical Engineering and Business Engineering, allowing students to earn qualifications from both institutions while gaining valuable international learning experience.

The second session, “Accelerating the Internationalisation of Non-Urban Universities Through Special Guest Lectures”, featured a collaboration with Prof. Hiroyuki Ishizaki from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan. 

This presentation focused on cost-effective strategies to enrich the global outlook of students in non-urban campuses. 

Drawing on UMPSA’s experience, the session demonstrated how special guest lectures on culture and technology by international academics have inspired students to explore global perspectives and develop international mindsets.

Shibaura Institute of Technology previously collaborated with UMPSA through a Visiting Lectureship Programme, in which Professor Hiroyuki Ishizaki himself served as a visiting lecturer. 

During his time at UMPSA, he delivered guest lectures and engaged with students and staff, offering valuable cross-cultural insights and technical expertise. 

This initiative supported UMPSA’s aim to internationalise the classroom and enrich students’ global learning experience.

Continuing UMPSA’s commitment to academic exchange, Associate Professor Dr.-Ing. Mohd Azmir Mohd Azhari also shared his insights during his recent engagement as a visiting lecturer at Iwate University, Japan, earlier this year. 

His involvement included delivering lectures and participating in collaborative discussions with Japanese academics and students, further enhancing UMPSA’s academic visibility on the international stage.

Reflecting on his presentation sessions at APAIE 2025, Associate Professor Dr.-Ing. Mohd Azmir remarked, “Internationalisation is no longer a luxury but a necessity.” 

He added, the themes we shared ranging from dual degree programmes to global exposure for non-urban students highlight our belief that students, no matter where they are, deserve access to meaningful international opportunities and perspectives.

In addition to its presentations, UMPSA also engaged in several strategic meetings with leading universities and institutions from the region. 

These engagements aimed to expand academic offerings, encourage research collaborations, and enhance student mobility.

Among the notable discussions were potential dual degree collaborations with Sejong University (South Korea) and Assam Down Town University (India), as well as research and academic exchange opportunities with Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (India) and Walailak University (Thailand). Discussions with O.P. Jindal Global University (India) included a proposed summer programme on sustainability and leadership, while connections with Konkuk University and Chonnam National University (South Korea) focused on student and staff mobility. 

UMPSA also explored potential pathways for participation in ASEAN-India Fellowship Initiatives, promoting regional research cooperation and capacity-building.

UMPSA’s participation at APAIE 2025 aligns with its broader strategic vision to foster international connectivity, develop future-ready graduates, and position the university as a hub for applied learning, research, and innovation in the region. 

The event served as an important platform for UMPSA to establish new partnerships, strengthen existing collaborations, and contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on the future of higher education.

With an expanding portfolio of international collaborations and impactful academic initiatives, UMPSA remains deeply committed to its mission of empowering lives through knowledge, innovation, and global engagement.

By: Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Office of The Vice-Chancellor