Queen graces UTM royal gala dinner 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah attended the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Royal Gala Dinner 2026. The event also featured UTM Pro-Chancellors Che Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor and Tan Sri Datuk Professor Emeritus Dr Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Ghazali, as well as Japanese Ambassador Shikata Noriyuki. Raja Zarith Sofiah observed a video presentation and the launch of the Book Publishing Endowment Initiative.

Donors presented mock cheques to support education and student welfare. UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim thanked guests, donors, and philanthropists for their contributions to funding student welfare and education. UTM received RM16 million in donations this year, with 1,013 Endowment Scholarships awarded to B40 students.

The UTM Endowment Fund has raised RM183.72 million, with RM30.93 million allocated to scholarships. More than 500 B40 students have received living assistance, 5,000 students have received free food assistance, and over 400 students have received festive pocket money. UTM has also sponsored 10 Palestinian students to study at UTM since 2023.

Rahim expressed gratitude to Ambassador Shikata Noriyuki and JICA for their continued support, highlighting the mutual benefits of Malaysia-Japan collaboration in education and research.