UTAR stands for peace at the 4th University Presidents for Peace Conference

UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min attended at the historic 4th University Presidents for Peace Conference in Hiroshima, Japan, held from 5 to 6 August 2025. The event, hosted by Hiroshima University President Prof Dr Mitsuo Ochi, brought together leaders from 15 global universities to advance peacebuilding through education. Prof Goi participated in solemn remembrance ceremonies and high-level policy dialogues, underscoring UTAR’s commitment to global peace initiatives. 

On 5 August 2025, Prof Goi attended the Peace Charity Concert at Hiroshima University’s Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, an event highlighting art’s role in healing and unity. The following day, he joined delegates at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for the city’s annual Peace Memorial Ceremony. 

Also participating in the core conference at the Higashi-Senda Campus, Prof Goi joined university leaders in signing the 2025 University Presidents for Peace Declaration. The pledge commits signatories to three key actions: strengthening cross-institutional partnerships for peace and sustainability, enhancing student and researcher exchange programmes, and identifying collective funding mechanisms to sustain these efforts. The declaration emphasises intergenerational responsibility in preserving testimonies of atomic bomb survivors (hibakusha) and empowering youth as ambassadors of reconciliation. 

As the sole Malaysian university representative, Prof Goi highlighted UTAR’s alignment with these goals, “Hiroshima’s transformation from tragedy to a beacon of peace mirrors our mission to educate resilient, compassionate leaders. UTAR will integrate these commitments into international curricula and foster partnerships that turn memory into meaningful action.” This participation reinforces UTAR’s dedication to global sustainability and peace education.