Johor bahru: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), the first of its kind in the country, continues to attract international students with over 60 applications received for the second cohort in October.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the faculty's dean, Prof Dr Mohd Naz'ri Mahrin, noted that these applications were from international candidates who applied directly to UTM, bypassing the University Admissions Unit (UPU). The first cohort currently comprises 114 students, with 14 international students from China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Middle East. For the October intake, over 60 international student applications are already on the list, though they have yet to be finalized.
He explained that UTM's global reputation, ranked 153rd in the QS World University Rankings, and the international recognition of its academic programmes are significant factors contributing to this interest. The university's top 100 position in the QS subject ranking for Data Science and AI further boosts applicants' confidence in pursuing their studies with FAI UTM.
International students are attracted to UTM because its certificates are recognized globally, facilitating further studies or employment in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, Malaysia offers a strategic location and a lower cost of living compared to countries like Singapore.
Prof Dr Mohd Naz'ri Mahrin also highlighted that the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence with Honours programme at FAI UTM spans three years, encompassing three semesters per year, and includes four main branches: Robotics and Automation, Intelligence Informatics, and Creative AI. The faculty is supported by over 60 AI-specialized lecturers and 40 engineering experts, totaling 150 academic and support staff.
The faculty received an initial allocation of RM20 million and aims to train AI experts while aiding other public universities in developing their AI programmes or faculties. UTM's AI Faculty was inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 10, 2024, aiming to nurture AI talent with knowledge, skills, ethics, and competencies, and to attract domestic and foreign investors while strengthening the local industry.