Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) sent 26 administrative staff members to an international training program at Malaysia’s Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), titled “Shaping World-Class Administrators: Driving Digital Transformation and Operational Mastery.” The two-day program took place on Thursday and Friday (September 17–18) at AKEPT in Lebuh Enstek, Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
AKEPT Director Prof. Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon expressed her appreciation and admiration for UMSU, thanking the university for choosing AKEPT as its partner for the international leadership training program.
“World-class administrators and administrative staff are the foundation for driving digital transformation and maintaining operational excellence within institutions,” she said.
Representing UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd., Vice Rector for Resources and Finance Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qorib, M.A., explained that the leadership training would not end in 2026 but would continue in subsequent years. He also emphasized the importance of developing follow-up action plans to ensure the program’s sustainability.
“A university’s progress is determined by the academic quality and professionalism of its administrative staff in managing the institution,” he said.
Prof. Qorib added that the 26 staff members selected for the 2026 AKEPT program were expected to become agents of change in their respective work units and share their knowledge with colleagues across UMSU.
“UMSU remains committed to developing its human resources and strengthening its strategic partnership with AKEPT Malaysia through future capacity-building programs,” he said.
Over the two-day program, UMSU’s administrative staff received training from leading Malaysian higher education experts and practitioners, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurbiha Binti A. Shukor and Prof. Ir. Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Raman of the Centre for Advancement in Digital and Flexible Learning (UTM CDex), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Ts. Khalid Abdullah Bin Abu Bakar, Registrar of UCSI Education Group and Senior Director of Group Human Resources at UCSI University; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Mursyid bin Arshad, Director of the Co-Curriculum and Student Development Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
The training comprised several sessions covering topics such as The Smart Campus: Harnessing AI and Digital Disruption; Service Excellence, Innovation & Continuous Quality Improvement; Interactive Reflection; Foundations of Strategic Planning & Capstone Project Kick-off; Leading the Agile University: Adaptive Leadership Competencies for Administrators; and Catalysts for Change: Strategic Action Planning & Capstone Presentation. The program concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony.
