SERDANG, December 17, 2025 – Empowering higher education leadership was the main focus of discussions at the Putra Education Forum Series organized by the Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), held today at the FPP Ballroom, thus emphasizing FPP's commitment to shaping the direction of higher education in the country.
This prestigious forum brings together national education leaders to discuss strategic issues related to university autonomy, institutional governance, and the empowerment of higher education leadership in addressing global challenges and the demands of the 21st-century education ecosystem.
The ceremony began with a welcoming speech by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Madya Dr. Wan Marzuki Wan Jaafar, who emphasized the importance of university autonomy as a catalyst for academic excellence, innovation, and the competitiveness of the country's higher education institutions. According to him, higher education today requires authoritative leadership, the courage to make decisions, and the ability to balance accountability with institutional autonomy for the sustainability of the country's education system.
This forum is moderated by His Excellency Prof. Dr. My name is Arif Ismail, a Professor from the Faculty of Educational Studies, who successfully guided the discussion critically and focused, thus opening up meaningful dialog between the panel and the participants.
The forum session also featured the Honorable Tan Sri Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh, Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), as the main panelist. He shared strategic insights based on his extensive experience in educational leadership and national administration, particularly regarding the need to strengthen the autonomy of higher education institutions as a foundation for developing high-quality human capital.
The discussions that took place covered various important dimensions, including the direction of higher education policy, the role of university leadership in the digital age, and the need for synergy between the government, institutions, and industry.
After the forum session concluded, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh and the invited guests were also taken on a tour of the Faculty of Education's facilities, including an introduction to the latest learning amenities such as the Seewo Smart Room, which showcases the use of smart technology in the teaching and learning process.
The organization of the Putra Education Forum Series reflects the Faculty of Educational Studies, UPM's ongoing commitment to providing a high-impact intellectual platform, thereby contributing to the formation of more progressive, inclusive, and sustainable higher education policies and practices in Malaysia.