UNIVERSITY NETWORK (UNINET)
The IMT-GT University Network (UNINET) connects higher education institutions across the subregion. It was established in 1996 and initially comprised eight universities in the network. During the IB 2017–2021 period, UNINET leveraged the WGHRDEC to expand its influence and networks. The signing of the UNINET Charter in 2017 had further institutionalized UNINET as a subregional body and formalized its cooperation agenda. Acknowledging the UNINET’s growing role, expanding network, and in-depth local knowledge, the 27th IMTGT Ministerial Meeting held on 6 August 2021 had agreed for UNINET to be an independent think tank for IMT-GT.
Functions and Responsibilities
- Take role as a think tank for IMT-GT government, business sectors, working groups and other relevant stakeholders.
- Produce innovation to support the subregional economy and address pressing issues in the subregion.
- Collaborate with IMT-GT working groups to accelerate the implementation of IMT-GT projects and programmes.
- Strengthen collaboration amongst universities in IMT-GT subregion to produce skilful society.
- Support Human Capital Development in IMT-GT subregion.
- Strengthen people-to-people connectivity, especially in the area of culture and education.
Structure
- UNINET Chairmanship rotates every three years amongst the member countries in an alphabetical order and one of the universities representing the country should be responsible for the chairmanship position.
- The venue of the UNINET meeting rotates amongst member countries in an alphabetical order.
- As a standalone entity, UNINET reports all of its activities or programmes to the IMT-GT SOM. For coordination purposes, UNINET shall also provide their report to the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT).
Leader's Summit
The IMT-GT Leaders’ Summit is the highest decision-making body of the subregion. It provides strategic policy direction, fosters consensus on key economic and social development priorities, and guides subregional cooperation and integration among member countries. The Summit also reinforces political commitment at the highest level, ensuring that IMT-GT remains aligned with regional and global development agendas. Its outcomes set the vision and long-term trajectory for the subregion’s collective progress.
Ministerial Meeting
The Ministerial Meeting (MM) provides overall guidance on IMT-GT’s strategic blueprints. It sets policy directions, addresses emerging challenges, and serves as a platform for ministers to exchange views and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination. The MM translates the vision of the Leaders’ Summit into actionable strategies, ensuring coherence across national policies. It also provides a venue for ministers to reaffirm their commitment to advancing IMT-GT’s shared goals.
CHIEF MINISTERS AND GOVERNORS’ FORUM
The Chief Ministers and Governors’ Forum (CMGF) bridges national and local priorities by aligning subregional initiatives with provincial and state-level development plans. It raises awareness of IMT-GT opportunities and facilitates bottom-up projects that deliver direct benefits to communities. The Forum empowers local leaders to take ownership of IMT-GT initiatives, ensuring that development is inclusive and responsive to grassroots needs. It also strengthens people-to-people connectivity by linking communities across borders.
SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING
The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) serves as the central mechanism for coordination and policy alignment within IMT-GT. It determines implementation priorities, monitors progress, harmonises policies, and ensures the effective implementation of IMT-GT programmes and projects. The SOM plays a pivotal role in translating ministerial guidance into operational plans. It also oversees the effectiveness of measures and strategies, fosters cross-sectoral collaboration to address emerging challenges, and encourages shared responsibilities across IMT-GT bodies.
NATIONAL SECRETARIATS
Each Member Country maintains a National Secretariat (NS) to coordinate and monitor IMT-GT initiatives at the national level. Serving as the national focal point, the NS integrates IMT-GT programmes into national development agendas and ensures adequate policy and resource support from national government. It also strengthens institutional linkages, fostering closer collaboration among agencies and stakeholders. In addition, the NS plays a vital role in supporting integrative planning, providing cross-sectoral solutions, and ensuring robust coordination and collaboration between national governments and subnational governments, as well as between central agencies and line agencies.
WORKING GROUPS
The Working Groups (WGs) serve as the implementation arms of IMT-GT. Each WG focuses on a specific strategic pillar, translating policies into actionable projects that strengthen cooperation and deliver tangible results across the subregion. They provide technical expertise, develop sectoral strategies, and ensure that initiatives are aligned with both national priorities and IMT-GT’s overarching vision. By fostering collaboration among member countries and engaging with stakeholders, the WGs play a vital role in driving progress and ensuring that IMT-GT commitments deliver concrete results across the subregion. Convergence meetings between the Working Groups can be held to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration and align strategies to accelerate project implementation. Some WGs require specialised technical expertise to effectively carry out their mandates. To facilitate the implementation of projects, smaller technical entities may be established to provide focused support. These entities (commonly referred to as Sub-Working Group, Project Implementation Team, or Task Forces) serve as dedicated mechanisms to address specific technical, operational, or cross-sectoral needs. By complementing the broader work of the WGs, they help ensure that projects are implemented with precision, timeliness, and practical solutions tailored to complex challenges.
CENTRE FOR IMT-GT SUBREGIONAL COOPERATION
The Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT) serves as the central secretariat for the IMT-GT framework. Its role is to initiate, advise, coordinate, facilitate, implement, monitor, and evaluate IMT-GT programmes, projects, and activities, ensuring they are effectively delivered and aligned with the subregion’s strategic priorities. The Centre also plays a catalytic role in accomplishing IMT-GT goals through facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of programmes, projects, and activities. Some WGs require specialised technical expertise to effectively carry out their mandates. To facilitate the implementation of projects, smaller technical entities may be established to provide focused support. These entities (commonly referred to as Sub-Working Group, Project Implementation Team, or Task Forces) serve as dedicated mechanisms to address specific technical, operational, or cross-sectoral needs. By complementing the broader work of the WGs, they help ensure that projects are implemented with precision, timeliness, and practical solutions tailored to complex challenges.
JOINT BUSINESS COUNCIL (JBC)
The Joint Business Council (JBC) represents the private sector within IMT-GT, promoting trade and investment while channelling business perspectives into policy discussions. Through strong public–private collaboration, it supports the implementation of IMT-GT projects and helps align them with market opportunities. The JBC also plays a vital role in fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing competitiveness, and building networks that connect businesses across borders, thereby driving inclusive economic growth in the subregion. Some WGs require specialised technical expertise to effectively carry out their mandates. To facilitate the implementation of projects, smaller technical entities may be established to provide focused support. These entities (commonly referred to as Sub-Working Group, Project Implementation Team, or Task Forces) serve as dedicated mechanisms to address specific technical, operational, or cross-sectoral needs. By complementing the broader work of the WGs, they help ensure that projects are implemented with precision, timeliness, and practical solutions tailored to complex challenges.
UNIVERSITY NETWORK (UNINET)
The IMT-GT University Network (UNINET) connects higher education institutions across the subregion. Established in 1996, UNINET initially comprised eight universities in the network. The signing of the UNINET Charter in 2017 had further institutionalized UNINET as a subregional body and formalised its cooperation agenda. To date, 32 public universities are members of UNINET. It promotes research collaboration, academic exchange, and innovation, recognising the critical role of education in driving economic and social progress. Some WGs require specialised technical expertise to effectively carry out their mandates. To facilitate the implementation of projects, smaller technical entities may be established to provide focused support. These entities (commonly referred to as Sub-Working Group, Project Implementation Team, or Task Forces) serve as dedicated mechanisms to address specific technical, operational, or cross-sectoral needs. By complementing the broader work of the WGs, they help ensure that projects are implemented with precision, timeliness, and practical solutions tailored to complex challenges.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
ADB has been involved in the IMT-GT initiative since its inception, and has been a Development Partner since 2007. ADB’s support to IMT-GT covers a wide range of technical assistance. It has been playing a key role as an adviser on policy and technical matters, a trusted facilitator in fostering partnership, and a mobiliser of funding. ADB supports the implementation of IMT-GT strategic initiatives, in close collaboration with the working groups, national secretariats, the CIMT and other subregional mechanisms and strengthens partnership building and resource mobilisation. Some WGs require specialised technical expertise to effectively carry out their mandates. To facilitate the implementation of projects, smaller technical entities may be established to provide focused support. These entities (commonly referred to as Sub-Working Group, Project Implementation Team, or Task Forces) serve as dedicated mechanisms to address specific technical, operational, or cross-sectoral needs. By complementing the broader work of the WGs, they help ensure that projects are implemented with precision, timeliness, and practical solutions tailored to complex challenges.
At the moment, there are a total of 32 universities in the UNINET ecosystem:
- Universitas Andalas
- Universitas Bangka Belitung
- Universitas Bengkulu
- Universitas Jambi
- Universitas Lampung
- Universitas Malikussaleh
- Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji
- Universitas Riau
- Universitas Sumatera Utara
- Universitas Sriwijaya
- Universitas Syiah Kuala
- Institut Teknologi Sumatera
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
- Universiti Malaya
- Universiti Teknologi MARA
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
- Universiti Utara Malaysia
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
- Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology
- Prince of Songkla University
- Thaksin University
- Walailak University
- Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya
- Yala Rajabhat University
- Songkhla Rajabhat University
- Hatyai University
- Fatoni University
- Phuket Rajabhat University
Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT)
Office 3A, Level 3, Block C, Menara PjH, Precinct 2, 62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA)
Malaysia
Ministry of Economy
Thailand Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC)
