Ensuring UTP remains a dynamic, impactful and future-ready university
Wednesday, 08 Oct 2025
IN recent decades, the landscape of higher education has witnessed tremendous shifts. Fuelled by technological disruptions, changing student demographics, economic pressures and the evolving demands of the workplace, a one-size-fits-all approach to education is no longer tenable nor sustainable.
To be future-ready, universities must continuously innovate and evolve. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is cognisant of this reality and it was against this transforming backdrop that Mohamed Firouz Asnan assumed the role of UTP president in May this year.
As the university’s first president and chief executive officer, Mohamed Firouz has been entrusted with the mandate to strengthen UTP’s academic excellence, foster innovation and increase its impact on society, all while ensuring financial sustainability.
“A big part of this is leading the university to realise our new vision, to be at the forefront of technology education and research, enabling a better future and to deliver on our mission with a clear focus on being globally relevant and future-ready,” he says, noting this is crucial as UTP, established in 1997, approaches its 30-year milestone.
“The higher education sector is under growing pressure from global competition, rapid digitalisation and a new generation of students who expect more flexibility, relevance and purpose from their university experience.
“To stay ahead, we must be willing to rethink how we educate, research and engage, constantly pushing ourselves to lead, not follow,” he adds.
From industry leader to nation builder
After completing a fulfilling 35-year journey with PETRONAS, Mohamed Firouz was looking forward to a different pace. Yet his journey did not stop there. With a strong calling to continue contributing to nation building, he embraced the opportunity to lead UTP.
“UTP has always had a special place in my heart, not only because of its strong ties to PETRONAS, but also because of what it stands for and the impact it is capable of making.
“So, stepping into this role does not feel like just another job, it feels like another important way to serve.”
He added: “I am genuinely honoured and humbled by this appointment. Having been closely involved with UTP over the past six years as a board member and more recently as transformation director, this transition may not be the typical path, but it is one grounded in purpose and commitment.
“I am excited to play a more direct role in steering the university’s future and to work with everyone to help build on the strong foundation already in place.”
Charting a collective path towards the fifth generation university
From his very first days in office, Mohamed Firouz prioritised aligning the university around its vision and mission and translating them into clear, actionable priorities.
“This included initiating a collective reflection on what it means for UTP to move toward the gold standard for modern universities, the fifth generation university, a model that extends beyond education and research to include innovation, entrepreneurship, societal relevance and global engagement,” he explains.
This began with a townhall to communicate the strategic direction, followed by engagements with student leaders to hear their perspectives and aspirations. Structured sessions with deans, department chairs and senior managers further ensured alignment across all levels of the university. “These early conversations have been essential in shaping a shared path forward, one grounded in purpose, clarity, and collective ownership,” he notes.
Driving tangible progress across four key areas
To fulfil the mandate entrusted upon him, Mohamed Firouz’s priorities centre on four areas: transforming education, sharpening research focus, securing financial sustainability, and expanding lifelong learning opportunities.
By shifting from traditional theoretical teaching methods to problem-based learning, UTP makes education more relatable, meaningful and impactful.
“This approach empowers students with the knowledge, skills and mindset they need to succeed, lead and adapt confidently in tomorrow’s workplace and society.”
A flagship initiative is the Integrated Engineer of the Future (IEF) programme, which welcomed its first cohort in September. Although developed before his presidency, Mohamed Firouz is fully committed to driving its success. “It exemplifies our new approach to education, preparing students comprehensively to meet real-world challenges and become agents of change.”
This effort is especially crucial as enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses has been declining globally, a challenge also faced by Malaysia. IEF represents a bold intervention to reignite student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by making learning more relevant and impactful.
Alongside this, UTP is committed to enhancing the overall student experience so that every learner feels supported, engaged and prepared for success both at UTP and beyond.
UTP is also strengthening its position as a mission-driven research and innovation hub by aligning its agenda with global and national priorities, particularly energy transition, sustainability, digital transformation and societal well-being. Through cross-sector and pan-university collaborations, UTP brings together diverse disciplines, industries and external stakeholders to deliver holistic, scalable outcomes. Equally important, UTP is building and supporting the broader innovation ecosystem so that the university becomes a catalyst for growth aligned with the country’s aspirations. “This mission-driven approach ensures that UTP’s research is not only academically excellent but also socially relevant and future-focused.”
Long-term sustainability is another key priority. “As the higher education landscape evolves and funding sources become more competitive, we must diversify our revenue streams and reduce reliance on any single source.” To achieve this, UTP is deepening engagement with industry partners, philanthropists and alumni, supported by the newly established Office of Advancement. This office will spearhead strategic fundraising, develop long-term donor relationships, and unlock new income-generating opportunities. “Financial sustainability is not just about keeping the university running, it is about ensuring we can continue to invest boldly in our students, research, infrastructure, and ambitions for the future.”
Promoting lifelong learning is also a cornerstone of his leadership. “Universities must play a larger role in upskilling and reskilling professionals beyond traditional degree programmes.” UTP is building on the strong foundation of the Centre for Advanced and Professional Education (CAPE) and Pintara. Through Pintara’s innovative use of educational technology, UTP delivers flexible, accessible, and high-quality learning experiences that empower lifelong learners to reskill efficiently, anytime and anywhere. “By strengthening our presence in this space, we not only create value for lifelong learners but also position UTP as a key player in shaping Malaysia’s future-ready workforce.”
A leadership style shaped by experience
Mohamed Firouz describes his leadership style as participative and people-centred. “I believe in getting results through people, not by directing from the top, but by engaging, empowering, and aligning teams around a shared purpose.”
For him, leadership is also about enabling others to realise their full potential. “When people are inspired and invested, the results naturally follow.”
His 35-year journey with PETRONAS has reinforced many of these principles. After completing this fulfilling career, he chose not to slow down but to continue his journey in service of education and nation building.
Across his career, he learned the importance of leadership, alignment and culture, particularly how good governance, a clear mission and shared values are essential to sustaining progress. Equally crucial is cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and shared purpose.
His overseas assignments taught him adaptability and the value of diverse perspectives, which inspired him to establish the International Student Office at UTP to strengthen global engagement and enhance the experience of international students.
He also witnessed how pushing technological boundaries can revolutionise industries, boost efficiency and create opportunities, which reinforced his conviction that UTP must prioritise advanced technology development and integration to remain competitive and relevant.
UTP’s DNA and its role as an engine of change
“UTP’s greatest strength lies in our DNA, a university established by industry for industry, committed to advancing knowledge and innovation that not only drives economic progress but also improves lives and contributes meaningfully to society.”
Looking ahead, he sees opportunities to diversify beyond oil and gas into sectors such as Electrical and Electronics (E&E) and Rare Earth Elements (REE).
He also believes in strengthening a pan-university approach that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and balances academic freedom with practical solutions. By embracing this dynamic and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship, UTP can encourage innovative, cross-disciplinary research and education that is both intellectually rigorous and highly relevant to real-world challenges.
He firmly believes that universities are more than just places to learn and that they are engines of positive change. Their role, he adds, is shifting from a so-called ivory tower to an ecosystem hub that acts as a reference point for innovation. “They are where ideas come to life and turn into solutions that benefit not just the country but the whole ecosystem around us. Universities play a huge role in developing talent, sparking innovation and tackling some of the toughest challenges we face.”
But he stresses that universities cannot do this alone. “It really takes teamwork from the public and private sectors, alumni and the community to support and partner with us so we can make the biggest impact possible.”
“UTP has a strong foundation and I am excited to build on that by driving innovation in how we educate, conduct research and contribute to society. I find it incredibly fulfilling to lead an institution that is not only committed to academic excellence but also to making a real impact in the world.”
