PENANG, June 2015 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has recently extended its strategic cooperation with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), one of the leading institutions in Indonesia, to jointly develop capacity of both institutions especially in the field of Microelectronic Engineering.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said, USM is always looking for opportunities to strengthen its niche areas and microelectronics are among the areas identified that can be further strengthened through high-impact collaborative partnership.

He added, USM sees the potential of these high-impact collaborations with local and foreign institutions partners and the benefits they bring, and ITB is seen as one of the institutions that can work together with USM in achieving excellence in research and publications.

“USM has several models of collaboration and I believe one of them can be adopted and adapted through a more detailed discussion between the two parties.

“We are honoured to have ITB as our international strategic partner; it widens our cooperation network with partner institutions abroad and I hope it will contribute to the development of scientific knowledge in a more comprehensive manner,'' he said.

Omar made these remarks when receiving the ITB delegation led by the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Eddy Satria, together with the institute’s academics and officers at his office here recently.

Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DCV) Academic and International Affairs USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, DVC Industry and Community Network, Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey dan Dean of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering USM, Professor Dr. Mohd. Zaid Abdullah.

Meanwhile according to Eddy, ITB is very excited to work with USM, which is among the leading universities in Malaysia and they have identified the scope of collaboration with USM’s Collaborative Micro-Electronic Design Excellence Centre (CEDEC) headed by Mohd Zaid.

Eddy, who had earlier visited CEDEC with the ITB delegates, said, he believes this partnership will not only benefit ITB and USM but also both Indonesia and Malaysia particularly in the areas of research, education, industrial investment cooperation and highly skilled human capital development.

“We also see this cooperation opening up excellent prospects for both institutions to further strengthen their industrial linkages and to work towards matters related to staff and students exchange, high-impact research, publications, and so forth. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photos: Mohamad Danial Shahri