Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) honoured 81 recipients and recipient teams for their contributions to academic excellence, research, innovation, digital education and lifelong learning at the ELEVATE 2026 recognition dinner held on 25 June 2026.
A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural UniKL EduInfluence Icon Award to Ts. Dr. Shahani Aman Shah of UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) and Ms Fara Wahida Ahmad Hamidi of UniKL Institute of Chemical & Bioengineering Technology (UniKL MICET).
The two academics became the first recipients of the new award, which recognises academic staff who effectively use digital platforms and social media to share knowledge, engage the public, promote UniKL and extend the university’s educational impact beyond the classroom.
ELEVATE 2026: Celebrating Academic Excellence, Research, Innovation and Lifelong Learning brought together four award programmes under a single recognition platform.
The recipients comprised 33 under the Digital Learning Innovation Awards (DLIA), 32 under the Academic, Research and Innovation Excellence Awards (ARIEN), 14 under the Awards for Inspiring and Remarkable Academics (AIRA), and two UniKL EduInfluence Icons.
UniKL Chairman, YB Dato’ Sri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali, who attended as the guest of honour, said the combined recognition reflected the university’s commitment to different dimensions of higher education excellence.
“By bringing DLIA, ARIEN, AIRA and the EduInfluence Icon Award under one roof, ELEVATE 2026 highlights UniKL’s commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, innovative teaching and meaningful engagement with society,” he said.
He added that universities must serve not only as places of learning but also as centres of discovery, transformation and leadership, where education, research and innovation work together to build stronger and future-ready institutions.
The DLIA recognised academics who advanced digital teaching and learning, Open and Distance Learning (ODL), digital course content and innovative online learning practices. Its categories included the ODL Pioneer Campus Award, Most Dedicated ODL Contributor, Best Structured Digital SIM and AI Open Course appreciation.
ARIEN celebrated achievements recorded throughout 2025 in areas including externally funded research, highly cited publications, product innovation and commercialisation, knowledge transfer, postgraduate supervision and high-impact research.
The recognition also included three UniKL academics listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists in 2025.
AIRA honoured educators who demonstrated creativity, dedication and excellence in delivering meaningful learning experiences through alternative assessment, immersive blended learning, face-to-face teaching and virtual learning.
During his address, Dato’ Sri Sh Mohmed Puzi also acknowledged UniKL’s progress in strengthening its research and education ecosystem, including its highest projected score in the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) internal audit since participating in the assessment.
He highlighted UniKL’s debut in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 in the 601–800 global band, its recognition as an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning Assessment Centre for bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, and the expansion of flexible and artificial intelligence-related learning initiatives.
ELEVATE 2026 was led by the Centre for Quality Assurance and co-organised with the Centre for Research and Innovation and the Centre for Innovation Digital Education and Emerging Technology.
Also in attendance were Puan Lailatul Asmah Mohd Tahir, Director of Strategic Planning, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA); Prof. Dr. Kushsairy Abdul Kadir, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of UniKL; Prof. Ts. Dr. Zalizah Awang Long, Deputy President of Student Development and Campus Lifestyle; and Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan, Deputy President of International, Industrial and Institutional Partnership.
Also present were Puan Mariam Yahaya, Chief Management and Services Officer; Encik Muhammad Hafidzi Abu Bakar, Chief Finance Officer; members of the MARA and UniKL management, academics, juries and award recipients.
