To all UTM Community
Assalamualaikum w.b.t and Warm Greetings.
All praise be to Allah swt. for it is with His grace and blessings, we are endowed with the opportunity to greet 2017. We are grateful to be among those who are always vigilant and concerned of the passing of time and continuously strive to use it wisely. Time is entrusted as part of our responsibility and it would be a great loss if not utilised in a beneficial way.
Although 2016 was a challenging year, it has been adorned with outstanding success and vibrant achievements at the university level, among staff and students. 2016 has also witnessed two events that have tested UTM’s dignity, which have subsequently enriched our experience as we chart our way forward. I believe that all these achievements are testimony of the zealous efforts, sincere commitment and strong cooperation of all the university community in ensuring that UTM continues to stay excellent despite challenging times.
This once again proves that UTM has the strength and capacity to face challenges in years to come. Mobilizing of resources, synergy, strong collaboration and confidence are the recipe for success as part of the responsibility entrusted upon us for UTM to build a better tomorrow for our future generation who will inherit us.
Looking ahead, we can expect more trials and tribulations as part of the challenges of the surrounding landscape facing us in 2017. As such, I call upon the whole of the UTM community to continue to focus on strengthening the capacity of the university and consolidating the trust of our stakeholders to ensure that UTM remains relevant as the university of choice by students, industries and the government. Without a unique offering and special niche, there is a danger that UTM will sink into oblivion because the higher education sector is no longer the monopoly of any institution, private or public. Furthermore, there is now no borders within which to compete, as competition is not only limited to local institutions, but now encompassing the globe.
Hence, let us together strengthen our brotherhood, bolster an ecosystem that is productive and innovative, and pray for continuous strength and capacity to shoulder the responsibility entrusted upon us to the best of our ability so that UTM will continue to be blessed with success and excellence for the sake of religion, nation and country in line with the philosophy of the university to attain excellence in science and technology towards universal prosperity.
Happy New Year 2017!
Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr Wahid Omar
Vice Chancellor
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
