BY NUR HAZIRAH SHUKUR & MASRIN AFFIRAH
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) set a record of sorts by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven leading institutions of higher learning (IPT) from Indonesia.
The MoU is an important step towards international cooperation that will foster academic excellence, research collaboration, and cultural exchange between Unimas and the relevant institution.
Among the universities that signed the MoU with Unimas were Universitas Borneo Tarakan; Universitas Jambi; Universitas Khairun; Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak; Universitas Negeri Malang; Universitas OSO and Universitas Samudra.
Unimas Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said, the international cooperation is a step forward for the university.
He said the will also open up a wide range of cooperation opportunities, including the offering of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level programmes to those from Indonesia.
He said this at the MoU signing held at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Hall of Unimas, here, yesterday.
“At the same time, Unimas has made a policy that offers discounts to students from Indonesia and the discount also depends on the number of students that can be enrolled to our university.
“We also provide many facilities such as laboratories, facilities in the field, in the library and open distance learning (ODL) or online facilities which are now being focused on,” he said.
He added that about two weeks ago he visited Pontianak, Indonesia and signed 40 MoUs with institutions managed by the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Head of Delegation and representative of the Rector for General Affairs and Finance, Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN), Professor Dr. Jamaliah, S.E, M.Si is confident that the close cooperation will be able to have a positive impact in the field of research, education and others.
“Thus, this MoU signing is also a milestone for us to achieve our common goals by bringing more activities in the future.
“Through this MoU there are also several collaborative activities that will be implemented including the student exchange programme, I am confident that this agenda will allow our students to experience for themselves the cultural and academic environment offered,” she explained.
Joint efforts between Unimas and universities in Indonesia will begin immediately, with the exchange of ideas and initiatives expected to yield significant results in the near future.
