KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) alumni have been called upon to join hands with the university in charting a bold and radical new direction that will strengthen its impact both locally and globally.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, said the move is part of UNIMAS’ renewed commitment to unite students, staff and alumni in creating a greater collective impact in the years ahead.
“Next year, God-willing, we will make sure UNIMAS continues with a bold and radical new direction, not only among students but also alumni, working together to create greater impact in the years ahead,” he said.
He said this in his speech at the ‘Program Serambi Perdana Alumni UNIMAS 2025’ event in conjunction with UNIMAS Alumni Day 2025 at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today.
He said the university’s new conceptual framework centres on three pillars – Inspiring People, Driving Innovation, and Advancing Sustainability – to strengthen UNIMAS’ position as a leading global university for a sustainable future.
Under Inspiring People, UNIMAS aims to motivate not only staff and students but also alumni to make meaningful contributions to society.
The Driving Innovation pillar focuses on creativity in research, community service and engagement, while Advancing Sustainability extends beyond environmental and economic issues to include social and governance sustainability.
“Sometimes, we think that our small actions in Sarawak have no global effect, but they do. We live under the same sky, and we are all connected, just like organs in a human body,” he said, adding that he envisions UNIMAS as a living institution that benefits the world.
Ahmad Hata also emphasised the importance of intergenerational collaboration, noting that UNIMAS comprises a mix of baby boomers, Generation X, Y and mostly Generation Z students.
“When we make decisions, we must think across generations to ensure continuity,” he said.
Meanwhile, when met by reporters, UNIMAS’ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Ir Ts Dr Al-Khalid Othman, said the university’s 2026-2030 Student and Alumni Strategic Plan will focus on strengthening global alumni engagement and grooming future leaders.
He said UNIMAS plans to establish 20 alumni chapters in 20 countries where its graduates are currently based.
“At the moment, we have alumni from 60 countries, but within the next five years, our target is to develop active chapters in 20 of them initially,” he said.
According to him, each chapter will be led by alumni appointed as international ambassadors to promote UNIMAS, Sarawak, and Malaysia globally.
Through these ambassadors, we want to share and showcase Sarawak’s rich biodiversity.
Malaysia is already well-known internationally, but Sarawak’s visibility remains limited.
This platform will allow us to promote Sarawak as an edu-tourism destination and to encourage biodiversity research through alumni engagement, he said.
Among the key highlights of the event were the launch of the National and International Alumni Ambassador Programme, featuring distinguished alumni appointed as strategic ambassadors to enhance UNIMAS’ visibility locally and abroad.
The university also introduced its digital e-Bulletin and e-Book, ‘Jejak Alumni Dalam Kampus’, which document the success stories and contributions of its alumni community.
Also launched were the UNIMAS Alumni Exclusive Gold Wafer, symbolising pride and appreciation for alumni identity, and the UNIMAS Alumni Welfare Fund, established to support alumni and members of the university community in need.
