PENANG, 25 April 2024 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Distance Education (SDE) recently went on a visit to the Fergana State University (FSU) in Uzbekistan.

The SDE delegates led by the Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob visited FSU and were then engaged in fruitful discussions with FSU's top management, including the Vice Rectors for academic and scientific affairs.

During the gathering, USM researchers Dr. Nagaletchimee Annamalai and Dr. Omar Ali Al Smadi, alongside counterparts from two distinguished American universities, Georgia State University and Minnesota State University, shared cutting-edge research findings in the realms of language, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI).

In addition to the scholarly exchange, presentations were delivered to FSU students, showcasing opportunities for international mobility programmes and Master's degree pursuits.

This event represents a significant stride towards fostering academic enrichment and cultivating a culture of international collaboration.

Moreover, a workshop on Scopus writing publication was also conducted for the staff, providing them invaluable insights into the scholarly publishing process and enhancing their research dissemination skills.

Zulnaidi said, “This visit marks a significant milestone for both institutions, laying the foundation for fruitful collaborations that will shape the future of education.”

Project Coordinator Siti Soraya Lin expressed optimism for the exciting projects ahead, underscoring the mutual benefits of this growing partnership between USM and FSU.

The FSU top management has also indicated a high interest in sending about 10 lecturers to pursue their PhDs at USM, through a hybrid modular learning approach that will be conducted in Penang and Fergana.

The occasion culminated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), cementing a promising collaboration between the two institutions. The ceremony was held in the presence of officials from both institutions.

Source: School of Distance Education (SDE), USM/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin