KUALA LUMPUR – Two local universities have entered into an agreement to enhance their undergraduates’ learning experience and broaden their horizons.
It came by way of a memorandum of understanding (Mou) between Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).
The joint research and educational collaboration effort were concluded via Microsoft Teams.
UTAR president Prof. Dr. Ewe Hong Tat said in a statement the MoU would enhance the learning experience of its students through the initiative of exchange of students as well as staff.
“This initiative will undoubtedly improve students’ learning experiences because they will be exposed to a new way of learning, meet new people, and grow as individuals.
“It is an excellent way for students to broaden their horizons,” he said.
Ewe signed on behalf of UTAR, while USIM vice-chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin represented his university.
The ceremony was witnessed by UTAR vice-president for internationalization and academic development Prof. Dr. Goi Bok Min and USIM registrar Datuk Muhammad Haizuan Rozali.
“Under this MoU, UTAR and USIM will initiate joint research and development projects. I believe that joint collaborative research has the potential to exchange ideas across disciplines to maximize the research’s impact.
“I am glad that both parties have agreed to explore possible collaborations to conduct joint workshops and training programs to inspire students and staff to learn something new or refine their existing skills.
“Aside from that, UTAR and USIM will work together to initiate joint education programs and to collaborate in publication, to answer complex scientific questions and expand the breadth of research.
“I am feeling hopeful and optimistic that this MoU will promote mutual understanding and cooperation which will lead to more interesting and mutually beneficial outcomes,” said Ewe.
Ridza said the MoU signified the beginning of the mutually beneficial collaboration between both parties.
“USIM, over the past five decades, has earned its place by providing the highest quality of education for our citizens.
“Our vision for continued excellence is to invest even more resources to enhance knowledge and foster wide-ranging research efforts to meet the new challenges in this new post-pandemic era, maximizing new opportunities for the benefit of mankind.
“No single university, no matter how large or well endowed, can address future challenges by itself.
“In this era of globalization and interdependence, cooperative partnership with other institutions of academic excellence around the globe is not an option, but a necessity,” he said.
Ridza said the MoU between USIM and UTAR was not only an excellent example of the strength of cooperation between their institutions, but also a clear indicator that their institutions recognized the importance of the advancement of qualified engineering and architectural professionals in the built environment field.
“Thus, the signing of this MoU symbolizes a partnership that we believe will lead to many new joint research initiatives that produce new synergies and add academic value for both USIM and UTAR in the years ahead.
“Needless to say, the collaboration is timely for us as educators because we play an important role in equipping our future generations with the essential skills needed to excel in their careers and their lives,” he said.
An original article from New Straits Times, click here.