The nation's technological university, ascending with AI.
Home of Malaysia's first Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and ranked 158th in the world, UTM is climbing towards the global top 100 through ASCEND 2030. NeuroCampur is honoured to stand beside the university that has shaped Malaysia's engineers, scientists and leaders for generations.
UTM ASCEND 2030
A structured ascent to global eminence.
The UTM Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030 is the university's bold commitment to become resilient, innovative and socially responsible, leading in education, research and innovation, environmental sustainability and industry and community partnership. Its logo tells the story: a deliberate climb, grounded in strong foundations, guided by clear objectives and fixed on the outcomes UTM will deliver by 2030.
Its spirit is captured in three words: UTM Sanjungan Bangsa, the pride of the nation.
Four Pillars of Distinctive Eminence
Leap in Niche Excellence
Becoming a globally recognised research university through high impact research centres, scholarly excellence and the commercialisation of research.
Global Talent
Attracting learners from everywhere and shaping them into future ready professionals with global competencies.
Sustainability
Sustainable development and financial resilience through smarter use of resources, infrastructure and operations.
Humanity & Well-being
Empowering society through the strategic transfer of knowledge, technology and expertise to the wider community.
NeuroCampur reads ASCEND 2030
Why this plan deserves attention.
One plan, one university
ASCEND 2030 is UTM's single institutional strategic plan for 2026 to 2030. Every faculty, centre and office aligns its own action plan to it, rather than writing a strategy of its own. That discipline is rare in higher education, and it is what gives the plan its force.
Strategy that cascades into action
Four pillars become six strategic objectives, and those become ten measurable desired states. Each department then owns named initiatives, budgets and milestones, reviewed quarterly. The ambition is set at the top; the execution is measured everywhere.
A global top 100 ambition
The desired states reach from global standing and graduate marketability to cutting the university's carbon footprint. With UTM already 158th in the world, the plan is a deliberate climb, not a leap of faith.
AI at the centre of the ascent
The Vice-Chancellor describes ASCEND 2030 as a blueprint to lead in AI, sustainability, advanced engineering and digital innovation, with funding for promising AI projects on campus and industry backed labs. It sits naturally alongside Malaysia's national AI ambitions.
The ascent, stage by stage
ASCEND 2030, powered by AI research.
Select a stage to see how artificial intelligence runs through each step of UTM's climb.
Malaysia's first Faculty of AI
UTM opens the country's first dedicated Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, giving the plan an AI engine before the climb begins.
- Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence launched
- AI research groups gathered under one faculty
- Industry partners brought in from day one
The visionary
Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim
A computer vision scientist turned institution builder. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) he helped bring Malaysia's first Faculty of Artificial Intelligence to life, launched by the Prime Minister on 10 May 2024. Today, as Vice-Chancellor, he is the architect of ASCEND 2030.
Along the way he founded UTM MaGICX, UTM SPACE College and the Institute for Life Ready Graduate, holds a patent in image processing and secured EU Horizon 2020 funding. He leads on four values: integrity, synergy, excellence and sustainability.
"If, years from now, people remember UTM for courage, integrity and real impact, not just numbers on a chart, that is the legacy I would be proud to leave."
Faculty of Artificial Intelligence · Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia's first AI faculty. Innovating intelligent futures.
Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 10 May 2024, the Faculty of AI was created to train the talent that will carry Malaysia's AI ambition, and drew international applications from its very first intake. These are the programmes shaping that generation.
Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence with Honours
Malaysia's flagship AI degree from the nation's first Faculty of AI, combining machine learning, data and intelligent systems with internships and real industry projects.
Master by courseworkMaster in Artificial Intelligence
An advanced, specialised programme for graduates and professionals ready to design and deploy AI systems at scale.
Master by courseworkMaster of AI Strategic Integration Services
For leaders bringing AI into organisations: strategy, governance and integration of AI across services and operations.
ResearchMPhil and PhD in Artificial Intelligence
Doctoral and research master's pathways to push the frontier of AI, supervised within UTM's research ecosystem.
Master of ScienceSmart Sustainable Infrastructure
Where engineering meets intelligence: designing the smart, low carbon infrastructure of future cities.
Professional doctorateDoctor of Engineering
An industry facing doctorate for senior engineers solving real problems inside their own organisations.
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UTM, in motion.
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Latest from campus and the press.
New videos from UTM and its Faculty of AI, with national coverage of the university, checked by NeuroCampur AI every 15 minutes.
UTM in the news
UTM Becomes R&D&C Base for Malaysia’s First Quantum Computing Hardware CompanyThe Malaysian Reserve · 24 Sept 2026UTP achieves a first for M’siaThe Star · 21 Jun 2026Expert urges AI smart border system ahead of RTS Link openingSinar Daily · 6 Aug 2026UTM hails JETP as timely boost for Maju Johor 2030 agendaThe Star · 22 Jun 2026Perodua and UTM sign MoU for xEV engineering programmeZigwheels · 22 Apr 2026UTM and artificial intelligence
Tencent Cloud and UTM Connect Malaysia's Emerging AI Talent with Real-World Industry ChallengesThe Malaysian Reserve · 21 Sept 2026Great Eastern Takaful, UTM spark student innovation driveNST Online · 13 May 2026UTM, Zhejiang University Forge Five-year AI CollaborationMalaysia-China Insight · 24 Dec 2025UTM AI Faculty Receives Over 60 International Applications For Second CohortBernama · 8 Jul 2025Queen urges balance between technology and values at UTM convocationThe Star · 15 Nov 2025In our academic directory
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Proud to rise alongside UTM.
Together we connect UTM's talent, research and AI leadership with Malaysian academics and students across the United Kingdom, building bridges between two nations that share a love of knowledge.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia · Sanjungan Bangsa