Highlighting the importance of bridging academic knowledge with real-world practice, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir, Vice-Chancellor and President of Malaysia’s prestigious UCSI University, wrapped up a four-day official visit to the university's Bangladesh Branch Campus from September 18 to 21, 2026.

During her visit, Professor Dr. Siti Hamisah provided key insights into UCSI’s academic philosophy, global reputation, and strategic vision for Bangladesh. Emphasizing the university’s unique PRAXIS model which directly links classroom learning with industry integration, she underscored UCSI’s impressive track record, including a 100% graduate employability rating recorded by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education across 2022, 2023, and 2024.

As the inaugural batch of students at the Bangladesh Branch Campus approaches graduation, Professor Dr. Siti Hamisah expressed strong confidence in their readiness for both local and international job markets. She noted that the branch campus serves not just as a center for higher learning, but as a crucial bridge connecting Bangladesh with Malaysia and the global economy through industry collaborations, artificial intelligence integration, and joint research excellence.

She gives written answer of media questioners here is her full interview:
Question: What makes UCSI University unique from other universities? What would you consider your key strengths?

Vice-Chancellor: UCSI University is distinctive in three important ways.
First, our international outlook. UCSI has a truly diverse student community, with students from more than 120 countries. We also have extensive academic and research collaborations internationally, with programmes delivered through academic partners across countries including the Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Japan and Timor-Leste.

Second is PRAXIS- our philosophy of connecting knowledge with practice. A university education should go beyond obtaining a degree. Students need opportunities to apply what they learn, solve real-world problems, collaborate with others and adapt to changing environments. UCSI's extensive industry network provides opportunities for internships, industry exposure, research collaboration and employment.
Third is our increasing emphasis on research, innovation and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and digitalisation. We want to produce graduates who are not only academically competent, but also future-ready, adaptable and capable of creating value for society and industry.

Question: How does UCSI University's global ranking and reputation benefit local students studying at the Bangladesh Branch Campus?

Vice-Chancellor: Students at the Bangladesh Branch Campus are part of the wider UCSI University community. They benefit from the same academic environment, resources, international networks and opportunities associated with the UCSI University brand.

UCSI's international rankings provide an important indication of the University's global standing. More importantly, students benefit from being part of a university with an established international academic and research network.

For Bangladeshi students, this means they can access an international education closer to home, while also having opportunities for student mobility, credit transfer, international collaboration and progression to other UCSI campuses, including Kuala Lumpur.

Our objective is to bring the international university experience to Bangladesh while creating opportunities for students to connect with Malaysia and the wider world.

Question: What is your Academic Innovation and Employability rate?
Vice-Chancellor: Academic innovation is not something we believe should be reduced to a single percentage. It is embedded in how we design, review and deliver our programmes.

Our curriculum continues to evolve through the integration of AI, digital technologies, experiential learning, industry projects and interdisciplinary learning.

UCSI's programmes have also demonstrated strong graduate employability outcomes, including a 100% employability score in the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education's Graduate Employability Surveys for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

However, employability means more than securing a first job. It is about developing graduates who can continue to learn, relearn and adapt throughout their careers.

We want our graduates to contribute meaningfully to society, the economy and sustainable development, while demonstrating professionalism, integrity and strong human values.

Question: How can the higher education opportunities and modern curriculum offered by UCSI University help students build successful careers in Bangladesh and abroad?

Vice-Chancellor: Today's graduates are entering a rapidly changing world. Knowledge remains fundamental, but employers increasingly expect graduates to communicate effectively, collaborate, solve problems, use technology, understand data and work across cultures.

At UCSI, we therefore combine academic knowledge with practical experience and industry exposure. Students need to understand not only what they know, but also what they can do with that knowledge.

AI literacy, sustainability, digitalisation and experiential learning are increasingly important components of contemporary education.

For Bangladesh, this is particularly relevant. With its large and ambitious young population and increasingly global economy, the country needs graduates who can contribute to national development while also competing effectively in international markets.

Our role is to prepare students for both — to build successful careers in Bangladesh and to participate confidently in the global economy.
Question: As the first batch of students at UCSI University Bangladesh Branch Campus approaches graduation, what career opportunities can they look forward to?

Vice-Chancellor: This is a very significant milestone because these students will become the first generation of UCSI Bangladesh alumni.
They will join not only their graduating cohort, but also UCSI's wider alumni community, including Bangladeshis who previously studied at our Malaysian campuses.

Career opportunities will naturally depend on their individual disciplines. Our programmes span areas such as business and management, accounting and finance, logistics and supply chain, computer science and digital innovation, hospitality, communication, psychology, and creative arts and design.

Graduates can pursue careers across multinational corporations, technology companies, financial institutions, logistics, hospitality, creative industries and the digital economy. Entrepreneurship and the creation of their own businesses should also be considered important career pathways.

Students who choose to progress to UCSI's Kuala Lumpur campus can additionally gain international exposure and experience studying in Malaysia before completing their degree.

My message to our students is simple:

Your degree opens the door, but your attitude, competencies, values and willingness to continue learning will determine how far you go.
Question: What is your vision for future collaboration and research excellence?

Vice-Chancellor: My vision is for UCSI Bangladesh to become more than an international campus delivering academic programmes. I see it as a platform connecting Bangladesh, Malaysia and the wider international community through education, research, innovation and industry collaboration.

There are many areas where Bangladesh and Malaysia can leverage complementary strengths, including AI and digital transformation, healthcare, sustainability, food security, climate resilience, entrepreneurship and supply-chain development.

UCSI already has a strong international research culture, and our students have had opportunities to undertake research experiences with leading global universities.

Going forward, I would like to see greater joint research, staff and student mobility, industry-sponsored research, postgraduate collaboration and innovation projects that generate tangible benefits for society.

Research excellence should not be measured only by the number of publications. The more important question is:

Question: What difference does our research make?

Vice-Chancellor: Ultimately, the future of UCSI Bangladesh should not simply be about transferring knowledge from Malaysia to Bangladesh. It should be about creating knowledge, developing talent and creating meaningful impact together.