Sunway University Co-hosted Inaugural Launch of the Malaysia Senior Fellows Network

Sunway University and Advance HE, successfully launched the Malaysia Senior Fellows Network (SFN) on the 17th of July, 2023. The network is the first of its kind in Malaysia and is the outcome of Advance HE's engagement with its Malaysian partners in 2022.

Feedback obtained from the engagement made it clear that having a community of practice - where experience and best practice could be shared, and solutions could be found - is seen as a way to contribute to Malaysia’s HE sector progress on its pathway to being a highly reputable destination for high quality higher education. According to Daniel Sheratte, Advance HE's International Partnership Manager, Sunway University was chosen to co-host the
event as the University has been "an important and highly valued" member of Advance HE since 2018. Sunway
University Provost, Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, lauded the networking opportunity made available
through the SFN and encouraged members to collaborate with each other for continual professional enhancement.

For those who may not be familiar with the fellowship, the Senior Fellow recognition is awarded by Advance HE to
academics who have an enduring track record of leadership or influence in promoting effective, inclusive, and
integrated high-quality teaching and learning practices, extending well beyond direct teaching and support roles.

The launch event also marked a significant milestone for Sunway University. It is the first Malaysian institution with
an accredited programme by Advance HE, i.e. the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PCHEP),
which was launched in 2022. Annyza Tumar, Head of Academic Enhancement, mentioned in her speech that the
programme supports academic staff's professional development and enhanced their academic practices. Their
recognition as Fellows upon successful completion of the programme is an added and important validation of their
teaching. With 35 Fellows across all categories, including 13 Senior Fellows, Sunway University remains dedicated
to teaching excellence and academic development.

Malaysia Senior Fellows Network and Working Group (SFWG)

Prior to the SFN launch, the SFWG held its first meeting. The group comprise of 10 Senior Fellows who represent
their universities and 2 from Advance HE. The SFWG provides a platform for the members to advocate institutional priorities,  disseminate     information, collaborate on sector challenges with other members of the Senior Fellows Network in Malaysia.

Congratulations to Annyza Tumar from Sunway University who was elected as the Chair and Jaya Kumar Karunagharan from Nottingham University, Malaysia, as the Deputy Chair of the Senior Fellows Working Group.