USM PENANG, 4 March 2024 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently took steps to strengthen its ties with the renewed signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Universite de Lorraine (UL), France.

USM has always emphasised on the importance of forging collaborative relationships with its strategic partners, locally as well as internationally. It has been 25 years since the USM-UL collaboration was formalised.

Signing on behalf of USM was its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed while Universite de Lorraine was represented by its President, Professor Dr. Helene Boulanger. 

Abdul Rahman expressed that significant research and academic activities have taken place for the past 25 years as a result of the continuous support from both sides, and also the Malaysian and French Governments.

“The collaboration that began with the School of Chemical Sciences and Biocrystallography research group has expanded over the years to include various research topics from the School of Physics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, School of Industrial Technology, School of Distance Education, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute and the School of Medical Sciences in USM and various research laboratories in UL.

“Thus, to commemorate the 25 years of this unique partnership, it is timely to renew this MoA with a valued partner like UL today,” he said.

Abdul Rahman added, “From this MoA renewal, it is hoped that the USM-UL Centre will continue to serve as a centre for research collaborations between USM and UL.”

Meanwhile, the Attaché of Scientific and University Cooperation, Embassy of France in Malaysia, representing the French Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr. Valerie Barbosa said that this cooperation has ancient roots but it is extremely rich and dynamic, as it currently encompasses an incredible variety of fields including archaeological, ethnology, anthropology, environmental sciences, engineering, agronomy, ecology and even language and literature.

“We also aim to creating closer ties with the Malaysian authorities and with the private sector, so that we can add new dimensions to our training and research programmes.”

“I look forward to a promising collaboration between the two parties as it embarks on greater things to come,” she said.

Among those who were also present at the ceremony: USM Deputy Vice-Chancellors; UL Vice-President for European and International Strategy, Professor Dr. Karl Tombre; Coordinator of USM-UL Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Hazwan Hussin; past and present fellow researchers from USM and UL.

Text: Siti Fatimah Abu Mansor/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md Isa