Prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar
Pictures by Kartini Tajul Urus
UUM SEEKS COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD IN AUSTRALIA
UUM ONLINE: Sydney - Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah continued his visit agenda in Australia to the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Sydney (USyd). ANU and USyd are ranked 27th and 38th best universities in the world respectively in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
At ANU, the Malaysian delegation led by TYT Dato’ Roslan Abdul Rahman, Malaysian High Commissioner in Australia was welcomed by Deputy Vice Chancellor (International Strategy), Professor Sally Wheeler, Director of ANU Malaysia Institute, Dr. Ross Tapsell, and Senior Manager of International Partnership Development, Dr. Anthony Nelligan.
Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman affirmed the ability of Malaysian public universities to conduct research related to Malaysia and Asia and the collaboration to share research results for mutual benefits.
He also promoted the Disaster Management Institute, School of Technology Management and Logistics (STML) and the Risk Management Institute, School of Economics, Finance and Banking (SEFB) which are able to conduct studies related to climate and energy.
In response, Prof. Sally Wheeler expressed ANU's keen interest to increase cooperation in research, especially in the field of Climate and Energy as well as business and commerce. ANU is also willing to explore the mobility programmes but cautions on the fact that it will require support from the faculty members.
Meanwhile at USyd, the delegation was greeted by the Director of the Office of Global Engagement, Ms. Amanda Sayan and Chairman of International Agreements, Mr. Tommy Gatling and Head, Student Mobility and Exchange, Ms. Fiona White.
In her speech, Amanda Sayan stated that University of Sydney has the largest student mobility program in Australia thus USyd is keen to collaborate with Malaysian universities as the borders are opening for both countries. USyd provides supports for the students to undertake mobility programme under the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program, which allows undergraduate students to undertake semester-long or short-term (minimum 2 weeks) mobility programmes.
Concluding the meeting, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman said the student exchange program is very important in helping to increase cultural understanding and respect for each other. Thus, Universiti Utara Malaysia is ready to cooperate in designing mobility programmes that meet the needs of academic programs offered by Usyd through collaborative partnership with other public universities under the purview of Consortium of Public Universities International Office lead by Universiti Malaya.
The Malaysian delegation was also taken to tour around the campus.
Participating in the visit was the Director of the Center for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar and also representatives from seven Malaysian public universities.