7 Days of Wisdom Without Borders Highlights (Day #1)

Photos Dr. Nurliyana Bukhari and Amir Syafiq Amran

SINTOK, 3 December 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) strengthened its academic ties with China through an inspiring online talk series featuring two distinguished UUM alumni who are now faculty members at Wenzhou-Kean University.

The session organised under the Wisdom Without Borders (WWB) initiative was held at 10.00 a.m. via Webex and drew an encouraging turnout of over 47 participants, including academic staff and postgraduate students from diverse local and international backgrounds.

Jointly organised by the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts, Wenzhou-Kean University, together with UUM, the programme showcased how postgraduate experiences at UUM can evolve into meaningful global careers in academia. It also reinforces UUM’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being, and Partnerships for the Goals.

The first speaker, Dr. Mohammad Noman, a UUM alumnus and emerging scholar in Educational Leadership, delivered an insightful talk titled “Transforming Experience into Impact: The Story Behind the Wenzhou International Research Center.” Currently serving as an Assistant Professor (tenure track), Director of the Department of Educational Leadership and Administration, and Director of the Wenzhou International Educational Research Center (WIERC), Dr. Noman reflected on how his postgraduate training at UUM set the foundation for his research pursuits and leadership development.

The second speaker, Dr. Amrita Kaur, an expert in Educational Psychology and a proud UUM alumna, presented “From Postgraduate Classroom to Global Platform: A Journey of Research, Resilience, and Leadership.” As an Assistant Professor and Programme Director at the School of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, Wenzhou-Kean University, she highlighted the importance of resilience, cross-cultural collaboration, and strong mentorship in forging a successful academic career abroad.

Moderating the session was Dr. Nurliyana Bukhari, Chairperson of WWB, whose engaging style fostered a dynamic, conversational exchange with both speakers. Her well-crafted questions encouraged thoughtful reflection on early postgraduate challenges, pivotal turning points in each speaker’s research journey, and the value of cultural adaptability and academic humility. This dialogue-centred approach provided participants with a personal and practical perspective on what it means to grow as a global scholar.

Both speakers offered wisdom that resonated deeply with participants, reminding current postgraduate students that postgraduate study is not merely a qualification—it is a gateway to global impact. Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and service embody the spirit of WWB: nurturing graduates who are academically excellent, culturally grounded, and globally connected.

The WWB organising team hopes that this programme will continue to enrich Malaysia–China academic networks, strengthen collaborative research, and open new pathways for UUM’s postgraduate community to contribute to international scholarship and educational advancement.

The programme was warmly received by UUM academics and postgraduate students. One participant, Zhong Yin, a PhD candidate from the School of Education and originally from China, shared her appreciation:

“It was a truly enriching sharing. The speakers encouraged us to ‘show up’ and be more actively involved in academic discussions. They also spoke openly about the importance of finding our academic voice and how their experiences at UUM provided a strong foundation for their research and career development. I believe that our learning journey here at UUM will similarly benefit us in our future professional endeavours.”

Her reflection echoed the sentiments of many who valued the speakers’ honesty, encouragement, and practical guidance on navigating postgraduate study and building a fulfilling research trajectory.

This Day #1 highlight of the 7 Days of Wisdom Without Borders series also forms part of UUM’s 41st Anniversary celebrations, reaffirming the university’s commitment to expanding its global footprint while remaining grounded in its identity as an eminent management university. – Syed Haikal Syafiq Syed Mohd Fazli and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Nazuar Sailin