As with the changes taking place in the education landscape, managers of universities were reminded to be prepared with diverse skills.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Ayoib Che Ahmad said the set of skills was to facilitate more effective job management.

According to him, everyone was aware that not only were the universities in Malaysia were involved, but the whole world was facing the challenges that arose due to the rapid changes in the environment.

"The changes come from aspects namely demographic, technological and political and most importantly the aspect of financial allocation.

"Therefore, I hope MyIDC can be benefitted by means of creating new opportunities and supporting the sustainability of knowledge and human development," he said at the International Deans' Course Malaysian Chapter (MyIDC) Dinner at EDC Hotels & Resorts recently.

He who represented the Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for entrusting UUM with the responsibility of organizing MyIDC Phase 1 from 30 June 30 to 11 July.

MyIDC is an initiative led by a group of Deans and former Deans of HEIs in Malaysia who have been following the International Deans' Course for Southeast Asia for the past 10 years.

This program is jointly organized by AKEPT and UPM is aimed at meeting the demands of knowledge development and skills of deans at institutions of higher education in Malaysia in order to fulfil the dynamic ecosystem of institution of higher education.

MyIDC is divided into three phases organized by different institutions of higher education namely Phase 1: Training and seminars in Kedah; Phase 2: Training and seminars in Malacca; Phase 3: Training and seminars at AKEPT and MyIDC Colloquium at AKEPT.

Also present were the Head of the MyIDC 2018-2019 Programme, Prof Dr Mohd. Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman and Director of AKEPT, Prof Dr Nordin Yahaya.