At the dawn of the new year, marked by renewal and fresh beginnings, the New Year Title Conferment and Appointment Ceremony of Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) was successfully held on 5 January. University leaders, faculty members, and student representatives gathered to witness this significant milestone in KLUST’s development.
At the ceremony, YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon was officially appointed Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Global Academic Expert Committee of KLUST. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, Professor Chen Xiaoyun, Chairman of the Board of Directors, was conferred the honorary title of Professor of Practice.
The conferment of titles and appointments not only recognises the distinguished contributions of both leaders, but also signifies KLUST’s steady advancement in industry–education integration, internationalisation, and academic innovation, reinforcing the University’s commitment to excellence and global engagement.
As a distinguished figure in Malaysia’s higher education landscape, YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon has built a career deeply intertwined with the nation’s educational advancement. During his tenure at Multimedia University, he championed a culture of innovation that significantly enhanced the institution’s national standing. Subsequently, over a decade of leadership at Universiti Malaya, he advanced research collaboration from a global perspective, steering the university into the ranks of leading international institutions.
Now, drawing upon his extensive experience in academic governance and international engagement, Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon has joined Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST) to lead the development of a cross-border research ecosystem spanning ASEAN, China, and beyond, with a strategic focus on frontier disciplines such as artificial intelligence and green energy.
“The transformation of KLUST represents not merely the evolution of a single institution, but a broader paradigm shift in Southeast Asian higher education,” he remarked. “Only by transcending geographical boundaries and enabling the free flow of knowledge can we cultivate innovative forces capable of reshaping the world.”
Looking ahead, he plans to advance a series of transformative initiatives in collaboration with universities across ASEAN, China, and other regions, including the joint development of academic programmes and research platforms. These efforts aim to nurture versatile talents equipped with both technological expertise and strategic insight, contributing meaningfully to regional and global development.
The conferment of the title “Professor of Practice” upon Chairman Chen Xiaoyun marked another highlight of the ceremony. This distinction represents a high-level recognition of his long-standing and in-depth commitment to advancing industry–education integration. Previously, Chairman Chen was jointly awarded the title of “Industry Professor” by multiple authorities in China, and the “Star Youth Talent Cultivation Model” under his leadership received the Teaching Achievement Award, fully reflecting his innovative vision and outstanding practical contributions to education.
In his remarks, Chairman Chen stated that he would uphold this honour with a strong sense of mission and responsibility, dedicating himself fully to the University’s strategic development. He reaffirmed his commitment to actively promoting China–Malaysia cooperation in higher education and to supporting KLUST in its pursuit of becoming a globally recognised, academically distinguished, industry-integrated, and future-oriented applied research university.
At the event, Professor Ts. Dr. David Ngo Chek Ling, President & Vice-Chancellor of Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST), elaborated on the University’s ambitious development blueprint. He noted that KLUST is undergoing a transformative journey “from cocoon to butterfly,” anchored on three strategic pillars: Digital Foundations, Intelligent Drivers, and AI Empowerment. Through these pillars, KLUST aims to comprehensively establish a new institutional framework—metaphorically described as “four beams and eight pillars”—to evolve into an applied research university that integrates industry–education collaboration, scientific and technological innovation, and frontier technologies.
In addressing the triple challenges of cultural diversity, technological transformation, and intensifying global competition, he emphasised that the appointment of YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon will bring valuable insight and renewed momentum to academic governance. At the same time, the strategic leadership of Chairman Chen Xiaoyun will help bridge the “last mile” between classroom learning and industry practice, enabling genuine integration between education and industry. These combined efforts are expected to meet society’s growing demand for high-quality applied talents, while further enhancing the University’s social impact and service capabilities.
This significant personnel arrangement marks a critical step in advancing the leapfrog development of Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST). Following its successful transformation from the former IUKL, and empowered by the strategic mergers and acquisitions of Star Youth International Group, the University has established a diversified academic ecosystem spanning engineering, business, artificial intelligence, and related fields. KLUST currently offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic programmes, including 28 undergraduate programmes, 16 master’s programmes, and 10 doctoral programmes, while maintaining close partnerships with more than 100 universities worldwide.
The establishment of the Global Academic Expert Committee and the opening of the Beijing Office have enabled KLUST to attract over 60 distinguished scholars from leading universities, alongside prominent industry leaders and technology experts, who serve as Professional Professors and Industry Professors. These strategic initiatives have significantly strengthened the University’s faculty capacity and teaching quality, while laying a solid foundation for sustained international development.
With steady progress and a clear strategic vision, KLUST is moving confidently towards its goal of becoming a leading science and technology university in ASEAN, contributing meaningfully to talent cultivation, technological innovation, and broader social advancement.
