News by: Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk
Photos by: Mohd. Azri Abdul Aziz
Sintok, December 11, 2024 – Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), through the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), hosted an engaging Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Webinar: Sharing Experiences, Building Collaborations. The event encouraged academic and administrative staff to explore international mobility opportunities under the Erasmus+ programme, drawing over 70 participants eager to learn from the speakers. The webinar featured inspiring stories and practical advice from three distinguished speakers who have successfully participated in Erasmus+ mobility.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Shazida Jan Mohd Khan, Director of the Co-Operative and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (CEDI) and a lecturer from the School of Economics, Finance and Banking (SEFB), shared her rewarding experience during the Erasmus+ International Week at the West University of Timisoara, Romania, a long-standing UUM partner since 2017. She described how the programme allowed her to connect with European participants and explore research collaborations, significantly enhancing her career development.
From his recent Erasmus+ mobility programme at the University of Alicante, Spain, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd. Hasbullah Omar, Deputy Dean of Academic and International at the School of Computing, reflected on the valuable insights he gained, particularly in teaching methodologies. He explained how exposure to innovative teaching practices broadened his perspective and provided ideas to enhance his academic work at UUM. Additionally, Dr. Hasbullah shared how his experience leading a Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) project on floods in Malaysia between 2013 and 2016 became a significant point of discussion during his visit. His expertise was especially relevant, as Spain had recently experienced severe floods, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange on disaster management and mitigation strategies.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mazni Omar, Director of the Corporate Planning and Performance Division (BPPK), emphasized the importance of exploring Erasmus+ partnerships. She encouraged staff to identify potential collaborators by focusing on European universities, particularly those in mid-income countries. Highlighting the value of proactive engagement, she explained how these partnerships could strengthen UUM’s global network and create long-term benefits for the university.
In her closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of CIAC, stressed the importance of aligning efforts with institutional goals. She advised staff to communicate with their respective Deans when establishing Erasmus+ collaborations, ensuring cohesive support for these initiatives.
The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants gained further insights into the Erasmus+ programme and strategies for forming meaningful partnerships.
The CIAC team expressed optimism that the webinar would inspire more UUM staff to embrace international opportunities and expand the university’s global footprint. With strong support from CIAC, UUM continues to pave the way for transformative international engagement through Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes.
The CIAC team expressed optimism that the webinar would inspire more UUM staff to embrace international opportunities and expand the university’s global footprint. Staff interested in learning more about Erasmus+ or exploring international mobility opportunities are encouraged to contact Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk at CIAC for further information and guidance. With strong support from CIAC, UUM continues to pave the way for transformative international engagement through Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes.
