Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP) was named the Best MARA Institute of Education (IPMa) at the Hari Anugerah Pendidik MARA 2026, while four academics from other UniKL institutes separately received the Anugerah Pendidik Cemerlang MARA 2026.
The recognitions were presented during the annual ceremony held at Hotel Premiera, Kuala Lumpur, on 30 June 2026.
The event was officiated by MARA Chairman Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Datuk Dusuki and celebrated excellence among educators and institutions across the MARA education ecosystem.
UniKL RCMP received the Anugerah IPMA Terbaik 2026 in recognition of its institutional achievements in medical and health sciences education, research, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and student development.
Established on 18 February 1999, the Ipoh-based institution currently offers 17 academic programmes and serves 3,985 students, supported by 419 staff members.
UniKL RCMP has earned recognition from national and international professional bodies while producing competent graduates equipped to contribute to the global healthcare sector.
It has also strengthened its position as a centre of academic and research expertise, with two of its researchers recognised among the World’s Top2% of Scientists.
The institution is also a key reference centre and consultant to MARA for the Professional Entrepreneurship Development Programme, or PROSPEC MARA, which supports the development of Bumiputera professional entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector.
Implemented since UniKL RCMP’s establishment, the programme has produced more than 200 healthcare entrepreneurs operating under brands such as Uni KLINIK, Uni FARMASI and Uni DENTAL. The initiative has helped expand Bumiputera participation in the economy and the healthcare services industry.
Reflecting on the achievement, the Chief Executive Officer of UniKL RCMP, Tuan Haji Hisshamuddin Omar said the award would strengthen the institution’s brand and motivate its staff to continue improving the quality of services provided to students.
“This award is important to us because it provides strong recognition and branding for UniKL RCMP. We will continue improving our quality so that more students can benefit from the achievement,” he said.
He added that UniKL RCMP would continue pursuing its expansion plans, particularly by attracting more international students and enhancing the support and services provided to them.
“We hope this award will encourage our staff to deliver even better services to our international students. Winning may be easier, but sustaining that achievement is not. Our focus is to maintain and build upon this success,” he said.
Apart from UniKL RCMP’s institutional award, four UniKL academics were individually recognised with the Anugerah Pendidik Cemerlang MARA 2026 for their contributions to teaching and learning, research, innovation, industry engagement and community service.
The four recipients were Professor Dr. Shahrulniza Musa from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT), Ir. Ts. Dr. Noor Hidayah Mohd Yunus from Universiti Kuala Lumpur British Malaysian Institute (UniKL BMI), Ts. Dr. Rita Zaharah Wan Chik from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT), and Dr. Mehru Nisha from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Institute of Medical Science Technology (UniKL MESTECH).
Professor Dr. Shahrulniza, a professor in cybersecurity, was recognised for more than three decades of service and his contributions to UniKL’s academic leadership, research policies and institutional performance.
His achievements include supporting improvements in UniKL’s SETARA, Malaysian Research Assessment and QS Asia University Rankings performance, developing technical codes in information and cybersecurity, publishing more than 80 Scopus-indexed journal papers and producing 15 doctoral graduates.
Ir. Ts. Dr. Noor Hidayah, a senior lecturer in telecommunications engineering, was honoured for her contributions to industry-integrated education, research and curriculum development.
Her achievements include leading the Huawei ICT Academy initiative at UniKL, developing micro-credential courses with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and strengthening industry-based assessments with organisations including MCMC, Cisco and Huawei.
Ts. Dr. Rita Zaharah, a senior lecturer in aviation management, was recognised for her role in developing and reviewing aviation management programmes at diploma, bachelor’s and master’s levels.
She has also supervised postgraduate students, secured research grants, supported international research mobility and contributed to academic publications and professional conferences in aviation management and information technology.
Dr. Mehru Nisha, a senior lecturer specialising in medical parasitology, was honoured for her teaching, international research collaborations and sustained commitment to community healthcare.
Her contributions include health screening and promotion programmes with the Department of Orang Asli Development, public health initiatives with the Hulu Langat District Health Office and international academic collaborations with institutions in Indonesia, India, China and Malaysia.
Hari Anugerah Pendidik MARA 2026 honoured the service of 9,987 educators across 346 MARA educational institutions, including MRSM, Kolej MARA, Kolej Profesional MARA, TVETMARA, GIATMARA, UniKL and other institutions within the MARA education ecosystem.
