KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Univer s i ty of Reading, Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday with the aim of broadening UNIMAS into the world.
Officiated by UNIMAS Vice- Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi and Dr Samantha Weston, University of Reading, Malaysia Vice-Provost and Academic Director of Teaching and Learning, this academic network was initiated by Dr Kartini Abdul Ghani, a senior lecturer from Faculty of Cognitive Sciences a n d Human Development (FCSHD) and Deputy Dean (Learning Advancement) at the Centre for Applied Learning and Multimedia, UNIMAS.
The network started through student industrial training and internship visits and the sharing of her research on Working Memory in a research seminar at the University of Reading, Malaysia last year. The MoU is inline with UNIMAS’ vision of being an exemplary university and recognised internationally.
UNIMAS has always taken the initiative to become the premier institution of higher learning for students and academics, not only at the national level, but also internationally. One of the MoU goals is to provide opportunities for students and academics from both universities to share knowledge and experiences through mobility and exchange programmes.
Apart from that, three UNIMAS’ prog ramme s inc luding the Psychology, Cognitive Sciences and Human Development are synonymous wi th School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences programme of University of Reading, Malaysia.
These programmes can act as a bridge that will benefit both universities in academic and research. According to the FCSHD Dean Dr Surena Sabil, “FCSHD is constantly moving forward into the international arena.
Such networks will surely create graduates and faculty communities who are skilled in the knowledge, personality and technology in the field of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development. With this MoU signing, it is not impossible for students and academics from UNIMAS, especially FCSHD to gain a wider experience in their chosen field.”
Meanwhile, Weston agreed with the MoU signing will become the foundation of a network and cooperation between the two universities for the present and the future.
Apart from the exchange of staff and students, the agenda among others, is to collaborate in research and consultancy in areas that coincide with the needs of the community which emphasises cultural and ethnic differences in the world.
According to University of Reading, Malaysia Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences Head Dr Rachel Pye,
“This is an excellent opportunity for collaboration and student exchange between our two campuses. The agreement we have signed will pave the way for research internships and staff teaching exchanges such as guest seminars, lectures and professional development workshops.
“ We hope our partnership with UNIMAS will enhance our research and strengthen our profile as a research and teaching focussed institution. We believe our particular expertise in experimental psychology alongside our cutting-edge laboratories can benefit UNIMAS students and provide experiences and skills they may not get from their own campus.”
Also present were FCSHD Dean Dr Surena Sabil, School of Psycholoy and Clinical Language Sciences Head Dr Racheal Pye, and lecturer from University of Reading Dr Andreas Kalcker.
