Sultan Nazrin launches book on academic's 15-country journey

KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today graced the launch of 'Kembara Dunia: 100 Hari, 40 Syarahan, 15 Negara', documenting former Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) vice-chancellor Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang's intellectual journey across 15 countries.

Zaini said the 100-day journey, which took place from April 16 to July 26, 2025, covered 15 countries, including Japan, Germany and the United States.

During the journey, he delivered 40 lectures and met more than 1,000 people, including new acquaintances, with whom he exchanged views and experiences in various settings.

The former secretary-general of several ministries said his training in chemical engineering had shaped his approach to the thoughts, events and experiences he encountered during the journey, which he treated as inputs to be processed and reflected upon.

"I also had the opportunity to discuss, explore and reassess various important questions about life, particularly careers and contributions, education, development, leadership, sustainability and the future of global society," he said in his speech at the launch.

Sultan Nazrin also launched the book, published by UTM Press, at the event, which was attended by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The book brings together Zaini's experiences, observations and reflections on developments in knowledge, research and higher education, as well as the lives of communities in various countries.

UTM vice-chancellor Professor Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim said the experiences documented in the book highlighted the importance of intellectual mobility in broadening perspectives and strengthening knowledge networks across borders.

"In an increasingly interconnected world, universities need to produce scholars who are not only knowledgeable but also broad-minded, capable of engaging in dialogue across cultures and courageous enough to bring Malaysia's wealth of knowledge to the international stage," he said.

Shafry said such journeys served as a reminder that academic life was not confined to lecture halls, laboratories or campuses.

He said UTM sought to strengthen intellectual mobility through its Strategic Plan 2030.

Zaini received the Merdeka Award in 2009 and the 2025 National Engineering Figure Award.

He has also produced more than 300 scientific articles, 2,000 general articles and 58 books.