News By: Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk
Photos by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar
On 18 September 2024, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and the West University of Timisoara (WUT), Romania, renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2024 Conference and Exhibition, held from 17 to 20 September in Toulouse, France. This renewal strengthens the ongoing academic collaboration, supported through Erasmus+ funding, which includes student and staff exchanges, joint research projects, and cultural programs.
West University of Timisoara has been a long-standing partner of UUM since 2017, with the initial MoU established by the School of Economics, Finance, and Banking (SEFB). Since then, SEFB has sent 3 students and 4 lecturers to WUT, demonstrating the close academic engagement between the two institutions.
As part of the renewed collaboration, UUM has been granted one seat for a student exchange to WUT under Erasmus+ KA171 funding, scheduled for Spring 2025. This provides a valuable opportunity for a UUM student to gain a fully funded global experience, enhancing their academic and cultural exposure. UUM is grateful for this opportunity and sees it as a reflection of the strong relationship between the two universities.
Representing UUM at the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin Mohd Sani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation Director. Assoc represented WUT. Univ. Dr. Valy Geta CEIA, Vice Rector, oversees the internationalization strategy, university networks, and relationships with European institutions. Their presence emphasized the commitment to deepening the collaboration, particularly in expanding mobility programs and fostering research ties.
In January 2024, UUM hosted two international officers from WUT for Erasmus+ Staff Training. In conjunction with their visit, a seminar was conducted where UUM's and WUT's international officers exchanged best practices in managing mobility and partnership activities, further enhancing the collaborative framework between the two universities.
Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin remarked: "The renewal of this MoU highlights the fruitful academic and cultural exchanges between UUM and WUT. We are grateful for the Erasmus+ KA171 funding, which enables our students to experience global learning environments, and we are committed to enhancing this partnership further."
The MoU renewal aligns with UUM's strategic focus on internationalization, and the EAIE 2024 Conference in Toulouse provided the perfect platform to reaffirm this collaboration.
