UniMAP Targets 80 Per Cent PhD Academic Staff, Expands ASEAN Collaboration in Vietnam

DA NANG, Sept 4 — Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is aiming to have 80 per cent of its academic staff hold doctoral degrees or equivalent qualifications as part of broader strategic efforts to elevate its academic quality and international standing, particularly within the ASEAN region.

Speaking during a delegation visit to Duy Tan University (DTU) in Da Nang under UniMAP’s International Leadership Mobility (ILM) programme, Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail highlighted that the university’s 2024 Quality Objectives recorded 75.6 per cent of lecturers holding Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualifications or equivalent, surpassing its initial target of 75 per cent.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who serves as UniMAP Chancellor, emphasized that bolstering academic staff qualifications remains vital to ensuring the university’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-driven curriculum is delivered by highly skilled educators.

“UniMAP places emphasis not only on the number of academic staff but also on ensuring that its teaching workforce has the capacity to support and enhance the students’ learning experience effectively,” Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said.

The UniMAP Chancellor noted that high staff quality directly correlates with student academic excellence. In 2024, 60.2 per cent of Engineering students, 77.3 per cent of Engineering Technology students, and 96.5 per cent of Technology students attained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 or above. Furthermore, 67 per cent of Engineering Diploma students and 95 per cent of Communication and Business students met or exceeded the same academic benchmark.

The delegation—which included UniMAP Pro-Chancellor 1 Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil and Pro-Chancellor 2 Hajah Sharifah Khatreena Nuraniah Jamalullail—was received by DTU Vice-Provost Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Gia Nhu and senior faculty leadership to discuss expanding institutional ties.

UniMAP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Shahriman Abu Bakar added that the university is seeking to expand its ASEAN research footprint by pursuing joint grants, colloquiums, and academic exchange initiatives. Having secured RM28 million in research grants last year through industrial and international partnerships, UniMAP aims to collaborate with DTU on key areas including artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, education, communications, and sustainability.

–NMT