By Melor Suria Minhat
Photos by Ikhwan Hashim
BANGI, 3 November 2026 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) continues to strengthen its international network through the ASEAN-China Regional Cooperation and Development Forum 2026 (ACCD’26).
The four-day forum focuses on four key areas: Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education; Tourism and Culture; Halal Economy; and Investment, Trade and Business Matching. These discussions aim to address global geoeconomic transformations and advance regional development.
UKM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh, said the university’s role extends beyond national borders through international partnerships to address shared challenges, particularly in response to the rapid advancement of generative AI and the digital economy.
“Translating strong economic ties into lasting prosperity requires us to look beyond trade and infrastructure. Greater investment in knowledge, stronger institutional collaboration and human capital development is equally important.
“Higher education has an important role to play in this process by creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing, academic exchange and closer cooperation.
“Forums such as ACCD’26 provide a valuable platform for advancing these discussions and strengthening mutual understanding between ASEAN and China.
“UKM recognises that universities must engage with the wider world, build international partnerships, and contribute to addressing shared challenges in technology and education,” he added.
A key highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of three cross-border research and talent development centres involving UKM and higher education institutions in China.
The ceremony also featured the exchange of Letters of Intent (LoI) between partner institutions, as well as the official handover of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) approval letter by the Malaysian Examinations Council to Mantissa College.
