PENANG, 6 March 2018 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is making strides again to be the preferred university by design. This time it is in academics with institutions at home and abroad, more specifically in the study of architecture.

USM will be offering an off-shore programme at Equator College, Penang for the Bachelor of Science (Housing, Building and Planning) (Honours) (Architecture) programme. The collaboration with Equator College will be the second offshore architecture degree programme by the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP) and the first with a private college.

Furthermore, USM is also making new developments with Hochschule Konstanz University of Applied Sciences (HTWG), Germany in sustaining the collaborations and laying the foundations for close cooperation and expansion on research and academic activities.

“I am confident that through our efforts and commitment, we will be able to achieve more and to be able to continue to develop even stronger relationships and networks between our institutions,” said the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail at the MoU and MoA signing ceremony held here this morning.

“USM will do the best in its capacity to provide a successful and fruitful implementation of both these MoU and MoA,” she said.

Sharing the concern for higher quality education and training in the field of architecture, both USM and Equator College also realise the limited opportunities available at the Bachelor’s degree level, more so in the northern region. 

“Thus, USM would implement a programme leading towards an Honours Degree in Science (Housing, Building & Planning) majoring in Architecture at Equator College, and with the degree awarded by USM that will be commencing next semester,” she added.  

The Chief Executive Officer/Principal of Equator College, Dato' Chuah Kooi Yong said, “Let us work together, not just to ensure that the collaboration bears fruits through our joint partnership and circles of influence, but also, we can play our roles professionally and in upholding the corporate social responsibility towards the benefits of the local community as well as to those in ASEAN - our neighbouring countries and the world at large.”

“We are proud in being the first college in Penang to be selected and recognised by HBP USM through this MoU, and to be the institutional partner in running the offshore programme,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the Dean, Department of Civil Engineering HTWG, Professor Dr.-Ing. Heiko Denk said, “By signing the MoA, HBP USM and their colleagues will develop collaborations with us in the exchange of teaching and research staff, collaborative research programmes on certain areas and in jointly organising workshops, seminars or conferences on issues of the built environment.” 

Also present were the Dean of HBP, Professor Dr. Aldrin Abdullah; Director of USM International Mobility and Collaborations Centre (IMCC), Dr. Muhizam Mustafa; the Vice-Principal of Equator College Dr. William Wong Teck Foo; the Executive Finance Director of Equator College Datin Pauline Yew Seok Him and Director of International Office HTWG, Klemens Blass.

Text: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain