JOHOR BARU: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has been reappointed as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), effective from June 1, 2024, until May 31, 2031.
UTM announced on its official Facebook page that Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, presented the instrument of reappointment as UTM Chancellor to Her Majesty during an audience with the delegation from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) at Istana Negara today.
"All UTM staff and students extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on the reappointment of Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah as the Chancellor of UTM, effective from June 1, 2024, until May 31, 2031," UTM stated.
Raja Zarith Sofiah was first appointed as UTM's Chancellor on June 1, 2010, and has since made numerous significant contributions to the university, both nationally and globally.
One of Her Majesty's notable contributions includes inspiring the 'Bangsa Johor Bahagia' (BJB) Project, aimed at assisting underprivileged communities with the involvement of UTM researchers and students.
Her Majesty has also shown great concern for student welfare, launching the Chancellor's "Because We Care" Fund to support B40 students in their education.
UTM also informed that as an active intellectual, Her Majesty oversees the Raja Zarith Sofiah Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science, and Civilisation (RZS-CASIS). Since 2022, Her Majesty has also inspired the annual "Royal Intellectual Forum" organised by the Islamic Civilisation Academy (ATI) at UTM.
In May 2023, Raja Zarith Sofiah delivered a keynote address titled "Imagining the Future: Climate Change, Health, and Food Security in Muslim Societies" at a roundtable conference co-organised by UTM and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
"UTM's top management is confident that with Her Majesty's wisdom and experience, she will continue to drive the higher education agenda in the country for the benefit of the people, and we remain fully committed under Her Majesty's leadership," UTM said. -BERNAMA