BINTULU: Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak is exploring strategic collaboration opportunities with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus to strengthen talent development, youth leadership, and human capital development in support of Sarawak’s development agenda.
The initiative was discussed during an engagement session between an AZAM delegation led by Strategic Communication, Media and Youth Relations Section Manager, Mohd Hassnal Hakim Junaidi, and representatives from UPM Bintulu, headed by Senior Lecturer, Dr Alvin Lim Teik Zheng.
The session provided a platform for both parties to exchange views on potential collaboration in various fields, including youth leadership development, strategic communication, biotechnology, research, digital literacy, community development, and student talent development.
Hassnal said collaboration between educational institutions and development organisations is crucial in producing graduates who are prepared to face future challenges.
“UPM Bintulu has strengths in research, biotechnology and human capital development, while AZAM brings experience in youth development, strategic communication. and capacity building.
“The combination of these expertise areas can create more programmes that add value to students, communities and Sarawak’s development,” he said in a statement on Friday (June 26).
During the engagement, AZAM introduced its new direction as a communication organisation that embraces the Participatory Communication approach to empower communities through communication, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
The organisation also highlighted several key initiatives currently being implemented or planned, including the Premier of Sarawak Debate Challenge Cup 2026, an inter-university debate competition aimed at nurturing critical thinking, leadership and communication skills among university students.
AZAM also introduced the AYS Toastmasters Club, a public speaking and leadership development platform that has produced many confident young leaders and earned recognition as a Distinguished Club under Toastmasters International.
Hassnal expressed hope that the discussions would pave the way for more high-impact programmes focusing on talent development, leadership, communication, innovation, volunteerism and knowledge transfer.
He said such collaborations would expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom, strengthen students’ personal development, and produce a generation of young people who excel not only academically but also possess the leadership, communication and critical thinking skills needed to lead the future.
