On 28–29 July 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the Strategy Review and BTSS (Business Technical Support System) Workshop organized by the Research Management Centre (RMC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The workshop was held at Pulai Springs Resort, Johor, and was attended by RMC officers from various divisions and units.
This two-day workshop aimed to assess the implementation status of RMC’s strategic plans for 2025, propose key improvements, and realign the direction and reporting structure for RMC’s BTSS. The event was officiated by the Director of RMC, Prof. Dr. Zulkurnain Abdul Malek, who delivered an insightful address and shared the current strategic institutional focus.
More information and photos from RMC FB here.
The first day featured several key presentations on Blueprint@enVision 2025, KPI action plans, and strategic planning updates. Among the presenters were me myself, Associate Professor Dr. Ezza Syuhada Szazali, and Puan Mazlinda Wati Razli. The sessions included in-depth discussions on Process Evaluation, COI & Innovation Focus, and consolidation of insights from earlier sessions.
Day two focused on detailed BTSS entries by each unit, section, and division. Participants were divided into five major working groups representing the Project Funding Unit, Project Monitoring Unit, Documentation & Data Unit, and other key components within RMC. A central theme across these discussions was the need to reassess workload distribution, clarify scopes of responsibility, and streamline inter-unit coordination.
A major challenge highlighted was the lack of manpower, especially in two critical areas: the Project Funding Unit and the Project Monitoring Unit. With limited officers overseeing numerous proposals and ongoing projects, the workload has become unsustainable. The Double Tax Deduction (DTD) under the Profunds unit is also facing hurdles, not only due to limited personnel, but also a lack of technical expertise in managing industry collaboration tax incentives.
Despite these limitations, the workshop was a valuable platform for reflection, collaboration, and forward planning. I truly appreciate the candid discussions and collective spirit displayed by all participants. It’s encouraging to see such dedication in addressing structural and operational issues with the goal of making RMC more agile and impactful.
May the outcomes of this workshop translate into real, actionable strategies that elevate RMC’s role in supporting UTM’s research ecosystem.
Kudos to everyone involved!
#20242025 Day 028
#Monday
