As one of Malaysia’s premier research universities, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has always championed the principle that knowledge must serve society and the nation’s development. Today, that principle takes new form through URIIS 2026 — the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit, a transformative national platform coordinated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Department of Higher Education (JPT), with UPM entrusted as the Main Secretariat.
URIIS 2026 is a defining milestone for Malaysian higher education. It represents the collective commitment of all 20 public universities to reposition research, innovation and talent development as engines of investment and national growth. Under the guidance of MOHE, the initiative bridges academia, industry and investors in a structured ecosystem that accelerates the translation of research outcomes into market-ready technologies, sustainable enterprises and measurable economic impact.
UPM’s leadership role in this initiative reflects its long-standing mission to link research excellence with industrial relevance. Through the Centre for Industrial Relations and Networks (CiRNeT), UPM has been entrusted to coordinate nationwide engagement with ministries, state investment corridors and global industry leaders. URIIS 2026 builds on this foundation, creating a unified platform for investment in innovation that aligns with national frameworks such as RMKe-13, NIMP 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
At the heart of URIIS lies the conviction that universities are not merely centres of knowledge — they are strategic investment hubs. Each participating university contributes research assets, technologies and partnerships that collectively strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness in key sectors including semiconductors, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, health technology, green energy and the halal economy. Through the Summit’s pre-, main- and post-implementation phases, these efforts are translated into deal-ready portfolios, investor dialogues and measurable impact indicators tracked via the national URIIS Dashboard.
The Future Talent Framework, jointly developed by MOHE, UPM and Universiti Malaya, complements this investment agenda by aligning graduate competencies with Malaysia’s nine priority industrial sectors: aerospace, automotive, chemicals, electrical and electronics, pharmaceuticals, ICT services, logistics, medical devices and the petroleum industry. This alignment ensures that every investment mobilised through URIIS is supported by a skilled, future-ready workforce.
On behalf of the university community, UPM extends its deepest appreciation to the Minister of Higher Education, the Director-General of Higher Education, and our strategic partners — MIDA, NCIA, RECODA, SEDIA, InvestKL, InvestPenang, Yayasan Sarawak and KWAP — for their trust and collaboration. Their shared vision and commitment make URIIS 2026 a living embodiment of Malaysia’s innovation agenda.
As the nation prepares for the full summit in 2026, UPM remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen the bridge between research and investment. Together with MOHE, JPT and our partners, we are shaping a future where Malaysian universities are recognised globally as engines of innovation, investment and inclusive prosperity.