SINTOK, 23 July 2026 – Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)’s success in maintaining its self-accreditation status in 2025 continues to be a catalyst for efforts to strengthen its quality culture when it received a Quality Assurance and Enhancement Themed Audit Visit by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), which focused on aspects of quality assurance and academic enhancement.
Held at the LPU Meeting Room, UUM, the audit evaluated UUM’s academic governance system, the implementation of its internal quality assurance and its continuous improvement practices. The assessment was conducted to ensure that the University’s academic standards remain aligned with the requirements of the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) and MQA standards.
The audit panel was led by Professor Ts. Dr. Shukor Abd. Razak from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), with panel members, Professor Ts. Dr. Syamsul Nor Azlan Mohamad from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Mr. Mohd. Khairul Nizam Ibrahim from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
UUM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed said the audit was more than a compliance exercise, describing it as an important platform for strengthening the University’s academic quality assurance system and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.
He emphasised that UUM remains committed to implementing a systematic, transparent and evidence-based internal quality assurance system through continuous monitoring of academic performance, regular curriculum reviews, stakeholder feedback and timely implementation of improvement initiatives.
“UUM views this audit not merely as a process of complying with the requirements of quality standards, but as an important mechanism to strengthen our quality culture, enhance the effectiveness of academic governance and ensure that every improvement undertaken contributes meaningfully to the student learning experience and institutional excellence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the MQA Audit Panel, Professor Ts. Dr. Shukor Abd. Razak, commended UUM for its high level of preparedness throughout the audit process, noting that all required documents and supporting evidence were well organised and fully complied with the guidelines and standards set by MQA.
“Our role extends beyond assessing compliance with quality assurance requirement. We also identify best practices that can be highlighted at the national level and serve as benchmarks for other higher education institutions,” he said.
During the audit’s closing session, Professor Dr. Ahmad said UUM welcomed the panel’s findings, observations, recommendations and constructive feedback with openness and professionalism, viewing them as valuable input for further strengthening the University’s academic quality assurance system.
“UUM is committed to acting on every recommendation and implementing improvements systematically and promptly to ensure that the University continues to uphold the standards required for self-accreditation while pursuing excellence in higher education,” he said.
Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. Azizuddin Mohd. Sani; Assistant Vice-Chancellor, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); Director of the UUM Self-Accreditation Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Zulkiflee Daud; members of the University Management Committee; heads of Centres of Authority; and representatives from the MQA.
