Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) marked a significant institutional milestone yesterday, Thursday, December 4, 2025, with the official launch of UTP ThesiSphere, a dynamic new platform designed to transform how postgraduate research is shared, accessed, and utilized. The launch event was held at NADI@UTP. The ThesiSphere platform was officially launched by Professor Dr. Benjamin Colin Cosh, Provost of UTP. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof Ts Dr Mohd Fadzil Hassan, Dean of Postgraduate and Research at UTP, who delivered a speech highlighting the platform's strategic importance. The event attended by hundred and twenty postgraduates’ students, research supervisors, lecturers and UTP’s senior management representatives.
A New Sphere for Knowledge Activation
In his address, Prof Ts Dr Mohd Fadzil Hassan emphasized that UTP ThesiSphere is "not merely a digital repository" but "a sphere of knowledge, alive, dynamic, and connected". The platform directly aligns with UTP's core aspirations anchored on three pillars: Energy Security, Sustainable Living, and Climate Change. The Dean noted that while a thesis begins with a "spark" of discovery, it often becomes "hidden kept on a shelf, known only to a handful" after submission. UTP ThesiSphere changes this by ensuring that postgraduate research is not just archived, but amplified, gaining "visibility, traction, and impact".
Uniqueness and Strategic Focus
While leading global universities like Harvard and Stanford utilize platforms like DSpace and DASH, which focus broadly on publications and datasets, UTP ThesiSphere stands apart. UTP’s new platform places postgraduate theses—the heart of academic discovery—at the centre of engagement, visibility, and collaboration. UTP is distinguished globally by recognizing theses as strategic assets.
The platform is envisioned as a community builder, bridging the gap between knowledge creation and real-world application through engaging profiles, powerful summaries, and multimedia storytelling. ThesiSphere is designed to bring together key groups to accelerate innovation:
Postgraduate scholars who seek visibility for their ideas. Supervisors whose mentorship deserves celebration. Industry partners and funders who are actively searching for breakthroughs and collaboration opportunities. Prospective students seeking insight into UTP’s intellectual culture.
Prof Ts Dr Mohd Fadzil Hassan concluded by inviting all to explore and contribute to ThesiSphere, stating that "when sparks are brought together in the right sphere, they ignite change".
Acknowledging IRC’s Achievements
The Dean also extended heartfelt congratulations to the Information Resource Centre (IRC) for their pivotal contribution to this achievement. The launch also marked the celebration of IRC's many accomplishments for 2025, including advancements in digital transformation, repository enhancement, and research support.
