UTP has become the second institution in Malaysia to be part of the Grand Challenges Scholars Programme (GCSP). Endorsed by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) United States, the programme prepares the next generation of students to address complex challenges facing the world in the 21st century.
To mark this occasion, the launching of the UTP GCSP was held in the presence of UTP Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Professor Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar and UTP Dean of Faculty of Engineering Associate Professor Ir Dr Rosdiazli Ibrahim. Katie Evans GCSP Network New Programmes Committee Chair also graced the event through a recorded message.
By joining the GCSP network, UTP is provided with opportunities to engage and collaborate with other world-renowned engineering institutions, establish more meaningful and impactful activities that offer global learning opportunities to its staff and students, foster the holistic development of the engineering industry, and help the university remains competitive in the industry and contribute to the nation at large.
As a member of the GCSP network, UTP will enrol up to five outstanding students each semester to become GCSP candidates. They will be assigned mentors and engage in Grand Challenge-related research, with a particular focus on UTP mega themes, namely Energy Sustainability and Smart Communities, which align with three of GCSP's cutting themes - Sustainability, Security, and Health.
Candidates will be assigned mentors to guide them on a series of activities aimed at developing competencies in five key areas, namely Talent, Multidisciplinary, Viable Business/Entrepreneurship, Multicultural, and Social Consciousness. By satisfying these competencies and other qualifying requirements, the candidates will graduate as Grand Challenge Scholars and recognised globally.
On this note, UTP would like to congratulate Nur Batrisyia Kamal Zamshol Kamal and Tang Siew Mun (both from Chemical Engineering programme) as well as Ahmad Danish Danial Ahmad Nadzri of Civil Engineering for being selected as the first batch of UTP GCSP candidates.
Besides the launching, there was also an Engineering Forum entitled ‘The Impact of the SDGs on Future-Proof Graduates’. The panellists were Vice President and Managing Director LUMILEDS cum CEO@Faculty for UTP Loganathan Muniandy, Executive Director, Board of Engineers Malaysia Ir Mohd Noramil Mohd Daril as well as United Nations Global Youth Action Ambassador 2023 and UTP student Muhamad Asyraf Hadie.
