The Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have recently signed a collaboration agreement for a project aimed at improving the University Leadership Directory (UniLead) system.

The UniLead system is a one-stop solution that will be used by AKEPT, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and all public higher education institutions (IPTA) to generate competency profile analyses of high-potential candidates, assisting in strategic decision-making processes for filling key positions in IPTAs.

The system also aims to help all users manage training development processes more efficiently, transparently, and effectively to empower the talent pool.

According to UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar, the project is an important initiative that will significantly impact MOHE, AKEPT, and all public universities in efforts to strengthen talent within the higher education sector.

“The close relationship between AKEPT and UMS is not new; it has existed for a long time through various collaborations involving training and leadership programs.

“AKEPT and the Leadership and Talent Development Division (BKEPT) at the UMS Registrar’s Office have worked closely on various programs, particularly in fostering professional skills and development.

“This established bond and collaboration provide a strong foundation to continue joint initiatives in developing the UniLead system,” he said.

Luqman explained that the AKEPT-UMS partnership was reinforced through an attachment program that began in March 2023 and is set to continue until February 2024, with two UMS staff being placed at AKEPT on a rotating basis to develop the UniLead modules, followed by training modules.

“With AKEPT’s request to improve this system, our team at UMS is proud to play a key role in developing new modules like LeadDNA, which will serve as an innovative and strategic assessment tool for AKEPT.

“We hope that the close collaboration between UMS and AKEPT will continue, and UMS is committed to supporting AKEPT in future initiatives related to digital transformation in higher education leadership,” said Luqman.

The enhancements to the UniLead system aim to ensure the sustainability of competency-based human resource management accessible to AKEPT management and the Talent Management Units in all IPTAs.

This data will assist in planning leadership talent training within universities, allowing it to be regularly monitored and managed within a structured human resources ecosystem.

Also in attendance were AKEPT Director Prof. Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon; Deputy Director of AKEPT Talent Management Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazharuddin Shah Abdullah; UMS Chief Digital Officer, Prof. Dr. Ag. Asri Ag. Ibrahim; AKEPT Registrar, Hanis Huzaira Abd Hanan, and UMS Head of BKEPT, Kamisah Husin.