NMT Programme 2023/2024: Empowering early career academics

Trainers and participants

The Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) National Multiplication Trainings (NMT) Workshop 2 for Early Career Academics 2023/2024 was held from 13 to 16 May 2024, at The Everly Hotel in Putrajaya. This training program includes two workshops, with the first workshop having taken place at the Kampar campus from 28 October to 1 November 2023.

The training programme gathered 20 academics from Malaysian universities, including Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Sunway University, and UTAR.

The objectives of the training programme included addressing performance gaps in current academic career models in Malaysian universities, developing new career pathways and recognition systems including Key Intangible Performance (KIP), and creating a leadership competencies framework. It included two workshops, online onboarding, and mentoring sessions. At the training programme, participants identified key issues in academic career progression, explored future-oriented academic management, and developed an individual Personal Action Plan (PAP) to design a new academic career model, which was shared in the final workshop.

Over four days, the organisers invited nine prominent academics, trainers, and experts to participate. Keynote speakers and experts included UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Multimedia University (MMU) academic Prof Dr Ong Duu Sheng, UKM academic Prof Dr Andanastuti Muchtar, UTAR Institute of Management and Leadership Development (IMLD) Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, UTAR Academic Quality Assurance and Audit Dean Ir Prof Dr Rajkumar Durairaj, CHE Centre for Higher Education Senior Expert Dr Jutta Fedrowitz, University of Potsdam Coordinator of National Multiplication Programme Ms Xia Qin, UTAR Department of Student Affairs Manager Mr Ng Foo Yek, and UPM Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security Director Prof Dr Anjas Asmara bin Samsudin.

On the final day of the training programme, Prof Dato’ Ewe delivered a keynote speech titled “Future Education for the Digital and AI Era”. Prof Dato’ Ewe emphasised the crucial role of education in developing self-awareness, self-discipline, and adaptability, particularly in the AI era. Furthermore, he recommended the documentaries “Social Dilemma” and “AI Dilemma” to understand technology’s impacts. Among the important future skills he highlighted were adaptability with deep learning and mental balance with emotional intelligence. He also mentioned that moral and ethical education helps students to thrive and contribute positively in a rapidly changing world.

The participants found the workshop highly engaging. The training programme concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony and a group photo session.

The NMT initiative, under the DIES by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), aims to improve higher education management in developing countries. The Early Career Academics NMT programme specifically targets early-stage academics in Malaysia, focusing on sustainable career progression.

From left: Prof Cheng, Prof Rajkumar, Dr Jutta, Prof Ong, Ms Xia and Prof Andanastuti


Participants having fun at the workshop

Prof Dato’ Ewe at the training programme

The presentation of certificates


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