Advancing sustainable governance in higher education

UTAR participated in the 2025 SATU Presidents’ Forum General Assembly, hosted by the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) from 12 to 13 March 2025. Themed ‘Sustainable Governance for University’, the forum brought together over 100 member institutions from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Taiwan to address pressing challenges in higher education and foster transnational collaboration.

Representing UTAR at the event were Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, and Office of International Affairs Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr Chen, I-Chi, who engaged in fruitful discussions and collaborations with leaders from various institutions across Asia. Their participation underscored UTAR’s commitment to international collaboration and sustainable development in academia.

Prof Goi (right) presenting a token of appreciation to SATU Presidents’ Forum Secretary General and NCKU Executive Vice President Prof Hong-Chen Chen

NCKU’s interactive augmented reality system for learning anatomy structure centre

The forum’s agenda closely aligned with UTAR’s strategic priorities, particularly in sustainability, digital innovation, and cultural heritage. Academic from National Chengchi University, Prof Angela Yung Chi Hou’s keynote on integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university governance highlighted a principle UTAR has championed through its green campus initiatives and interdisciplinary research. Academic from NCKU, Prof Hsiao-Wen Wang’s session on Green University Initiatives resonated with UTAR’s ongoing projects in environmental management, including energy-efficient infrastructure and community-based sustainability programmes. Additionally, NCKU College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dean Prof S. Felix Wu’s emphasis on ethics-driven digital transformation reinforced UTAR’s commitment to responsible technology education, exemplified by its AI ethics modules and industry partnerships.

UTAR’s participation in the 2025 SATU Presidents’ Forum reaffirmed its role as a proactive leader in sustainable higher education. By leveraging SATU’s platform, UTAR continues to bridge innovation and tradition, empowering students and communities across Asia.