KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has proudly unveiled Malaysia’s first multidisciplinary engineering programme, the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours, during the opening ceremony of The Campus Live Southeast Asia 2024.

This programme aims to redefine engineering education by addressing the evolving demands of industries and societies.

The Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours integrates insights from renewable energy, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the humanities.

This transdisciplinary approach is designed to prepare graduates to tackle complex industrial and societal challenges through innovative and holistic problem-solving.

In his keynote address, Pro-Chancellor of UTP and President & Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS, Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik highlighted the urgency for higher education institutions to anticipate the workforce’s future needs through actionable and inclusive insights derived from credible data.

“The future of work is not one defined by displacement but one that provides opportunities for improvements in many aspects, requiring greater creativity, innovation, and critical thinking,” said Tengku Muhammad Taufik.

Additionally, he emphasised the importance of adaptability and resilience in graduates.

“Graduates must have the adaptability and resilience not only to leverage but also to pivot between different skill sets to solve diverse problems across sectors”, he added.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of UTP, Farehana Hanapiah, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for solutions that address pressing global issues.

“The world demands not only responsible and equitable solutions but also strategies to address social inequities, human rights impacts, severe climate changes, and the rapid evolution of technology,” she remarked.

Farehana also lauded gatherings such as The Campus Live Southeast Asia 2024 for serving as catalysts for change.

“With the diversity of expertise and perspectives from academia, industry, and civil society, this gathering will spark new ideas and ignite positive calls for action,” she added.

Southeast Asia’s potential as a region was further highlighted by President – APAC, Times Higher Education (THE), Simone Dilena.

“ASEAN represents a rich region with untapped potential, and fostering global engagement and collaboration will be instrumental in unlocking these opportunities,” said Simone.

She also lauded the transformative ASEAN CEO Joint Declaration on Common Space for Higher Education in Southeast Asia, describing it as a significant step towards harmonization.

“This marks a united commitment to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative educational landscape,” she added.

Southeast Asia, home to nearly 9% of the global population, is poised to become the fourth-largest economy by the end of this decade due to its youthful, diverse, and educated population.

The Campus Live Southeast Asia 2024 provides a critical platform for dialogue on the future of higher education.

Against the backdrop of Southeast Asia’s growing youth population and dynamic job market, the event focuses on equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed for regional prosperity.

By bringing together academic and administrative leaders, industry experts, and policymakers, the event explores strategies for institutional success and collaborative growth, reaffirming its role as a beacon for innovation and progress in education.