Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) recently welcomed Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, a renowned academic and diplomat, to deliver a public lecture titled "From Academia to Diplomacy: Striving for Relevance in an Unsustainable World."
The event brought together a diverse audience, including students, faculty, government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from partner universities, all eager to engage in critical discussions about sustainability.
Tan Sri Dr Zakri, a respected member of UTP's International Advisory Council (IAC), has long enriched the university with his valuable perspectives and experience since 2015.
His lecture offered a compelling narrative of his forty-year journey, transitioning from academia to science diplomacy to address the pressing global sustainability challenges of our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
UTP recognises the importance of bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. This lecture exemplifies the university's commitment to providing platforms that inspire innovation, foster deeper understanding, and explore how institutions of higher learning can remain relevant in the face of global challenges.
The event also reflects UTP's ongoing efforts to engage with the broader community, including local entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, and young leaders, to forge cross-sector partnerships and identify new research avenues and policy recommendations for a more sustainable future.
