Honouring Research Excellence at RExA 2026
21 October 2026
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) celebrated the achievements of its research community at the Research Excellence Awards 2026 (RExA 2026), held on 21 October 2026 at MZ D’Tasek, Royal Park Hotel. Organised by the Research Excellence Centre (REC), the event brought together university leadership, distinguished guests, research partners and researchers to recognise outstanding contributions to research, innovation and scholarly excellence.
The event was honoured by the presence of Dato’ Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Yusoff, Managing Director of TNB Research (TNBR); Encik Abd Shukor bin Jamaluddin, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM); and Puan Norbaya Othman, Division Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Their presence reflected the importance of continued engagement and collaboration with industry, government agencies and research organisations in advancing UNITEN's research aspirations.
At the heart of RExA 2026 was the recognition of researchers whose dedication, perseverance and accomplishments continue to strengthen UNITEN's research reputation and impact. Academic staff, postdoctoral researchers and postgraduate researchers were honoured across eight award categories, celebrating excellence in research publications, citation impact, research grant performance and scholarly achievements.
A significant highlight was the recognition of UNITEN researchers listed among the World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University & Elsevier 2026) and World's Top 5% Scientists (SciRank Global 2025). Notably, five distinguished researchers achieved recognition in both international listings, reflecting the growing global visibility and impact of UNITEN's research community.
Beyond celebrating these achievements, RExA 2026 also marked an important milestone with the launch of “UNITEN Research and Innovation: The Next Chapter”, officiated by UNITEN's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairul Salleh bin Mohamed Sahari, accompanied by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Prof. Ir. Dr. Vigna Kumaran, and REC Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Jaspaljeet Singh.
The launch unveiled three strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening UNITEN's research ecosystem, expanding international engagement and enhancing the visibility of its research and innovation activities:
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ELEVATE 2027 – UNITEN Global Energy, Sustainability & Innovation Congress: Bringing together five international conferences from 5–8 October 2027 at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, the congress aims to provide a platform for researchers, industry professionals and international partners to exchange knowledge, share research findings and explore opportunities for collaboration.
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UNITEN Flagship Research Themes: Introducing three strategic research areas—Climate Resilience, Future Mobility and Digital Twin—that reflect emerging global challenges and opportunities while building on UNITEN's existing research strengths and expertise.
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UNITEN Research and Innovation Visibility Initiative: Showcasing the university's research achievements, innovations and scholarly contributions through its research website, newsletters and social media platforms, while strengthening stakeholder engagement and creating greater opportunities for research collaboration.
Together, these initiatives reflect UNITEN's aspirations to strengthen its research ecosystem, expand international partnerships and enhance global visibility. As the university approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027, they provide a foundation for the next chapter of research and innovation at UNITEN.
RExA 2026 also served as a meaningful occasion to celebrate the people behind these achievements. UNITEN extends its heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients, whose dedication and accomplishments continue to inspire the wider research community.
