Steven Sim Named New UKKM Chancellor, Targets AI-Driven Entrepreneurial University
PETALING JAYA: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was officially proclaimed as the new Chancellor of Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM) during a ceremony held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today.
The Bukit Mertajam MP succeeds former chancellor and Penampang MP Ewon Benedick.
The proclamation ceremony, which was held together with the university’s second convocation ceremony, also saw 26 graduates receiving certificates for completing programmes related to cooperative management and entrepreneurship.
In his inaugural speech as chancellor, Steven Sim Chee Keong said UKKM has strong potential to emerge as a forward-looking higher education institution capable of adapting to rapid global economic and technological changes.
According to him, the university’s relatively young age should be viewed as an advantage rather than a limitation because it allows the institution to be developed within the context of the digital era and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
“UKKM may still be young, but that is precisely our strength because we have the opportunity to shape a university that is truly relevant to the demands of the new world.
“We want UKKM to become more than just a conventional business school. Our goal is to build an AI-driven business school capable of producing modern entrepreneurs, cooperative leaders and future economic changemakers,” he said.
He delivered the remarks during the Proclamation of the Chancellor and 2nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia today.
Steven Sim Chee Keong noted that technologies such as AI are rapidly reshaping the global economy, making it crucial for higher education institutions to evolve quickly in preparing future talent.
He said UKKM should seize the opportunity to establish itself as an institution that combines entrepreneurship, technological innovation and cooperative values within a modern educational ecosystem.
According to him, the university should not only focus on academic excellence, but also produce graduates capable of creating jobs, strengthening communities and driving people-centred economic development.
At the same time, he stressed that UKKM must remain grounded in the cooperative principles championed by renowned Malaysian cooperative figure the late Ungku Aziz.
He said the movement’s core values, including social welfare, economic empowerment and community unity, should continue serving as the foundation of the university’s long-term development.
“The cooperative movement is not merely an economic model. It is also a social movement that allows communities to collectively build economic strength in a more inclusive way,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s cooperative sector still holds enormous untapped potential and could become a major contributor to the national economy if strengthened through technology adoption, innovation and skilled human capital.
Meanwhile, Steven Sim Chee Keong revealed that Malaysia’s cooperative movement recorded nearly RM82 billion in revenue as of December last year.
He said the figure demonstrates the sector’s growing capability to support economic growth, generate employment opportunities and develop local entrepreneurs nationwide.
During the same ceremony, 26 graduates received certificates across five academic programmes, including Diploma in Cooperative Management, Diploma in Cooperative Entrepreneurship and several Master of Business Administration programmes.
Steven Sim expressed hope that UKKM graduates would emerge as a new generation of entrepreneurs and cooperative leaders capable of leveraging emerging technologies to drive Malaysia’s future economic transformation.
