KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) officially charted its strategic course for the next five years with the launch of the UNIMAS 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, anchored by the innovative I-D-E-A framework.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said the plan is designed to translate the university’s aspirations of being ‘Borneo Rooted’ into a ‘Global Impact’, guiding UNIMAS through four key dimensions of transformation.
“The I-D-E-A framework will inspire individuals through knowledge co-creation and empower communities to contribute actively to national development,” he said at the 2026 Vice-Chancellor Address at DeTAR Putra, UNIMAS today (Feb 13).
Ahmad Hata outlined the seven strategic priorities under the plan, including Life-wide Transformative Education; Future-Ready NextGen Graduates; Boosting Responsible Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation and Economy (RDICE) Advancement; and Talent Management, Governance and Efficient Service Delivery.
The other three priorities focus on sustainability and campus development, namely Sustainable Growth-driven Financial Performance; Network of Co-Creative Ecosystems for Sustainability; and Smart, Green and Inclusive Campus.
He added that UNIMAS is determined to drive innovation across disciplines and systems in collaboration with external partners, focusing on the rapid and responsible implementation of ideas to meet global challenges.
“UNIMAS is committed to positioning knowledge based on Borneo’s unique wisdom into trusted international networks, while strengthening environmental sustainability to safeguard the future for the next generation,” he said.
Marking 2026 as the inaugural phase of the plan, Ahmad Hata noted that a structured action plan has been established to ensure tangible and impactful results for Sarawak, Malaysia and the world.
The 2026 Action Plan calls on the entire campus community, lecturers, researchers, administrators and students, to move in unison based on three core pillars: Sustainability, Impact and Future.
“For 2026, we will focus on initiatives that will be truly felt by the campus community and our external partners.
“UNIMAS Aspiration 2026 will serve as the compass driving our role as a catalyst for higher education development in the region,” he added.
Ahmad Hata highlighted that the phased execution of the plan ensures every initiative aligns with the university’s core achievements over the next five years, ultimately aiming for UNIMAS to become a global co-creator of the future through the fusion of knowledge and human values.
