‘Unis must create, shape and support'

The Star

4 days ago

Universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations often play a bigger role than governments in keeping systems running in areas such as environmental protection, sustainability and climate change, says newly appointed Management and Science University (MSU) pro-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang.
He shared that during recent visits to the Netherlands and Japan, there had been a change in the government but the countries were still functioning because 'non-state actors' like universities understood their roles and were able to carry out their responsibilities, he said.
The higher education sector, said Prof Zaini, who is also the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) chairman, should play a bigger role on the global stage and not just be a receiver of knowledge and influence from other fields.
Learning institutions must instead act as a creator that shapes and supports industries, he said, adding that being knowledge-based and having the ability to move past setbacks are core leadership values.
'Be knowledge-based – ground all decisions in facts and research, not hearsay.
'Secondly, move forward and not dwell on the past.
'In any organisation, there will be setbacks, such as being denied promotion or leadership roles. But leaders should focus on creating their own opportunities,' he said.
Prof Zaini was speaking at the varsity in Shah Alam, Selangor, on Aug 5 as part of a series of dialogue sessions with public institutions, private sectors and non-governmental organisations nationwide.
These sessions, which kicked off this month and will continue through September, are part of his self-funded 100-day lecture tour across 15 countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and South Korea, from April to July this year, to share ideas, experiences and knowledge, as well as to foster global collaboration.
Key topics of discussion include environmental sustainability, post-Covid-19 higher education, climate action before 2050, and leadership in global health.
Resilience, Prof Zaini said, is something Malaysia can learn from Scandinavian nations –especially now, in the 'post-normal' era, where traditional rules and expectations no longer fully apply.
The resilient Scandinavian mindset, he said, is shaped by centuries of surviving extreme environmental conditions.
'The climate there is harsh – in the northern parts of Norway and Sweden, winter can mean a whole month without sunlight, while summer could be two weeks without night.
'Temperatures swing from 45°C in summer to -20°C in winter. Surviving in such conditions is challenging, but locals are used to it,' he said, sharing how they embrace 'hygge' (pronounced 'hoo-gah'), a concept that centres on accepting and making the best of circumstances that cannot be changed – like the weather.
Prof Zaini also called on Malaysian students to embrace differences if they want to thrive in a global environment.
Citing Scandinavia as an example, he said formal titles are rarely used in introductions.
'If someone insists on using your title there, it might actually mean they don't see you as part of their group,' he said, adding that perceptions and attitudes differ greatly because of borders and cultures.
'In some countries, 'friendly' means smiling and chatting. In others, it means giving you space and not interfering – such as not asking personal questions.
'So, students need to understand different cultural mindsets instead of assuming their own definition of friendliness or professionalism applies everywhere,' he said.
During his visit to MSU, Prof Zaini was appointed the varsity's environmental sustainability professor and its second pro-chancellor. The appointments, which run from 2025 to 2028, took effect on Aug 5.
He succeeds the late Tan Sri Dr Wan Muhammad Zahid Muhammad Noordin, who served as MSU's first pro-chancellor for over two decades.
Seeking someone to carry forward Zahid's legacy as a visionary leader who greatly complemented the university's mission, MSU president and founder Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid said he sees these same qualities in Prof Zaini.
He described Prof Zaini as an 'excellent and outstanding academician', and expressed confidence in the former's ability to take MSU to greater heights.
'With his experiences in public service and in academia, I hope he can bring more value to our university, as we continue to move forward in research, international collaborations, global rankings, and other key areas,' he told a press conference.