The inaugural Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA Awards) 2025 Awards Ceremony celebrates the excellence of institutions and individuals in academic quality, innovation and governance, encompassing all sectors of the country's higher education including public and private universities, polytechnics, community colleges and public training institutes. MQA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran, said the award was not just a trophy presentation ceremony, but rather a manifestation of the country's appreciation for those who raised the standard of higher education to a higher level. He said that in an era of uncertainty and global transformation driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), artificial intelligence (AI) technology and economic pressures, the quality of higher education cannot be compromised. "As the national higher education quality assurance body, MQA takes on this responsibility with full trust and commitment. "The 2025 MQA Awards Ceremony is part of our initiative to inspire and strengthen a culture of quality across the country's higher education ecosystem," he said when delivering his welcoming speech at the 2025 MQA Awards Ceremony in the capital. The ceremony, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was also attended by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud; MQA Chairman, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr Zaini Ujang and the Chairman of the MQA Awards 2025 Committee, Prof. Ts. Dr. M. Iqbal Saripan. At the ceremony, the MQA Awards Quality Assurance Main Award was won by Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) as the highest recognition for exceptional achievements in academic quality, innovation and governance. Other awards include the Higher Education Provider Excellence Award (PPT): Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) won by Universiti Putra Malaysia (self-accredited university); Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (university category), I-CATS University College (university college), INTI International College Subang (private college/institute/academy) and Sabak Bernam Community College (public community/training institute). The PPT Excellence Award: Lifelong Learning (PSH) was won by Open University Malaysia (university category) and Merlimau Polytechnic Melaka (college/institute/academy/polytechnic/community college), while the PPT Excellence Award: TVET was won by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (university) and German Malaysian Institute (college/institute/academy/polytechnic/community college). The Special Award for the Most Valuable MQA Partner went to the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), while the Special Award for the Most Valuable Industry Partner went to TODAK Fusion Sdn Bhd and Petro Teguh (M) Sdn. Bhd. The Quality Assurance Figure Award (Domestic) was awarded to the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Prof. Datuk Ts. Dr. Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin and the Quality Assurance Figure Award (Overseas) was given to the Chief Executive Officer of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), United Kingdom, Vicki Stott. Mohammad Shatar said that the MQA Awards are not exclusive to large institutions or research universities alone because all sectors are recognised including polytechnics, community colleges, public training institutions and private higher education institutions which are the backbone of the country's development. He said that Malaysian higher education is increasingly gaining international recognition, often used as a reference by countries from Central Asia, West Asia, Europe and the ASEAN region, and MQA has implemented training programmes focused on quality assurance agencies in South Africa and the Philippines and will be expanded to Qatar, Turkey and Uzbekistan. "With 16 active Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) involving partners from almost all continents including Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, this effort opens up strategic collaboration opportunities for Malaysian HEIs, especially in strengthening the internationalization agenda. "I call on all higher education institutions to continue to make quality a culture, not just an accreditation requirement. Let these MQA Awards be a symbol of the shared aspiration that Malaysian higher education is not only on par with international standards, but also a model for other countries," he said.
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Date of Input: 27/08/2025 | Updated: 18/11/2025 | aidawati