SIBU: Opportunities to forge stronger ties between Sarawak and Kalimantan have to be multi-dimensional, said University of Technology Sarawak (UTS)Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab. Hamid.
“Diplomatic, trade and economic relations are important for the prosperity of both regions,” he said, pointing out that these relations are primarily executed at the government and corporate levels.
“However, relations that involve citizens are equally important in order to have a better understanding of the social and cultural diversity of both regions.
“Therefore, internationalisation of higher education is one way to enhance cooperation among the younger generations of both countries/regions through academic and research programmes, cultural and social activities, and development of mutual understanding based on respect and tolerance,” Khairuddin added.
He said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTS and Shanti Bhuana Institute (SBI), West Kalimantan, Indonesia here Tuesday.
The MoU seeks to develop cooperation in human capital development and related activities between the two parties and to establish a mutually beneficial relationship built on academic and industrial cooperation.
Khairuddin foresaw that cross border activities will grow dramatically with the opening of international gateways that will allow more students and staff mobility between the two regions.
He said the Sarawak government is also looking at ways to facilitate and simplify the immigration and approval processes in order to make Sarawak a more attractive destination for higher education.
According to him, despite lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, many academic and research initiatives between universities from Sarawak and Indonesia did not stop completely.
“Online classes, meetings, conferences, publication and research collaborations were successfully implemented without compromising on quality and standards.
“We have been working closely with Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN) in co-organising International Heritage and Cultural Conservation Conference (InHERIT) since 2018. The next InHERIT 2023 will be held here in UTS this year from Aug 16 to 18.
“Hence, I would like to invite SBI to join us during InHERIT 2023.
“As for this signing ceremony between UTS and SBI, I am very excited with this opportunity knowing that SBI is not very far from Kuching.
“With a distance of about 100km from Bau/Serikin border, SBI can be considered our nearest international partner,” he enthused.
He also pointed out that there are many common academic areas such as business and management, entrepreneurship, marketing, software engineering, game development and creative digital contents that will allow both institutions to engage for mutual benefit.
He believed that they could prioritise some of the immediate activities based on the areas of cooperation such as academic transfer programme, joint research projects, staff development programme, technical and professional training programme, student exchange programme, academic and management visits, service learning activities and community service projects.
At the ceremony Khairuddin signed on behalf of UTS while Rector of SBI Bapak Marianus Dinata Alnija acted on behalf of the Institute, witnessed by Consul-General of Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Bapak Raden Sigit Witjaksono, Vice Chancellor of SBI Dr Helena Anggraeni Tjondro Sugianto and Deputy Vice Chancellor of UTS Prof Ir Dr Mohd Shahril Osman.
