1st Postgraduate Symposium 2026: Igniting Research and Global Engagement

A three-day inaugural Postgraduate Symposium 2026 (1stPGSYM26) officially commenced on 12 May 2026, at the Auditorium Rashdan Baba, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Complex and Putra Business School or commonly known as the White House, serving as a multidisciplinary platform for international scholarly exchange. Organised by the UPM Press Centre to provide scholars with a professional avenue to share critical findings before completing their final dissertations, the opening ceremony was officiated by the Patron, YBhg. Prof. Dr. Zamberi Sekawi, alongside YBhg. Prof. Dr. Azmawani Abd Rahman and the Symposium Chairman, YBhg. Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohamed Thariq bin Hameed Sultan. The symposium successfully gathered nearly 500 presenters and participants from various countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and Thailand. On the first day, Keynote Addresses, which were given by YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr. Jayum Jawan and Prof. Ir. Dr. Shahrum Abdullah, offered valuable insights that encouraged meaningful interdisciplinary academic discussions, setting a strong foundation for the symposium.

DAY 2: Advancing Publishing Excellence

Day 2 focussed on strengthening publication practices across specialised lecture rooms in support of the strategic aspirations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the UPM Press Centre. Recognising peer-reviewed publication as a mandatory graduation requirement for postgraduate students, the symposium provided direct guidance on academic writing and journal publication processes. Distinguished speakers, including YBhg. Datuk Prof. Kol (K) Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian, YBhg. Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohamed Thariq bin Hameed Sultan and Associate Prof. Dr. Md Kamal Uddin shared practical insights on manuscript preparation and publishing in reputable journals. These focussed sessions supported postgraduate students in achieving their academic milestones while contributing to publication income generation and enhancing the international scholarly visibility of the UPM Press Centre.

DAY 3: Fostering Innovation and Future Publications

On 14 May 2026, the final day of the symposium featured keynote sessions and publication-focussed workshops centred on practical application. Insightful presentations by YBhg. Prof. Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman and YBhg. Prof. Dr. Md. Zahangir Alam highlighted essential strategies for producing impactful research. At the same time, intensive masterclasses conducted by Dr. Stephanie Chuah Hui Wen, Associate Professor Dr. Nik Ahmad Sufian Burhan, Professor Dr. Kashif Hussain, Dr. Puvaneswaran a/l Kunasekaran, and Dr. Shahrina Ismail provided practical guidance on transforming thesis chapters into high-quality academic papers. By establishing a strong and continuous manuscript submission pipeline, the symposium concluded successfully, reinforcing the UPM Press Centre as a dynamic and sustainable platform for academic publishing and international research excellence.

Thank you to all that have contributed to the success of this first ever symposium!

Date of Input: 29/05/2026 | Updated: 29/05/2026 | marlina_is