By Ts. Dr. Mohd Ihwan bin Zakariah and Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Khor Wai Ho, Higher Institutional Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP)

In a move to strengthen its academic and research collaboration as well as solidify its strategic alliance, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). 

Key highlights of this strategic partnership include developing collaborative academic courses and programmes to align with the universities’ ongoing focus on future dual-degree planning. 

Both institutions will share laboratory facilities and equipment to elevate their research capabilities and collaboratively organize joint conferences, seminars, and workshops. 

The MoU will encourage mobility and exchange of faculty members for attachments, research, and lectures, alongside promoting the exchange of graduate and undergraduate students for courses, research, and internships. 

Additionally, both parties will be committed to sharing educational materials, research publications, and library resources in both printed and electronic formats.

This partnership unites UMT, a well-established public university renowned for its niche areas in marine sciences and aquatic resources, with UMS, an institution dedicated to enhancing its academic cooperation and educational excellence.

To ensure the successful implementation of these collaborative initiatives, coordination will be spearheaded by the Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE) for both universities: the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) at UMT and the Borneo Marine Institute (BMI) at UMS.

The MoU was signed by Professor Dr Suriyani Muhamad, Acting Vice-Chancellor of UMT, and Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Haji Mansur, Vice-Chancellor of UMS. 

According to Professor Suriyani, the signed MoU is not just a document, but a mutual commitment to combine expertise, expand networks, and create new opportunities in academic, research, innovation, and talent development. 

“I believe the combined strength and expertise of both universities will allow us to explore more impactful initiatives that benefit our society and nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Professor Kasim said the synergy between these two HiCOEs will harness the strengths and expertise of both universities, thereby producing research and innovation that not only impacts the academic world but can also be translated into real-world solutions for industry and society. 

“May this MoU serve as a catalyst for more high-impact research, innovation, and expertise sharing between UMS and UMT in the future,” he said.

Designed as a long-term commitment to shared academic innovation, the MoU will remain in effect for a period of five years. 

The signing ceremony was held alongside the Public University Vice Chancellor Meeting in August and was attended by the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman.