KUALA LUMPUR, 27 May 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the University of Bahrain (UOB) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance academic cooperation between the two institutions at the recent ASEAN-GCC-China Summit 2025.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman Hamad Al Khalifa.

The agreement, which was formalised on the Bahraini side by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and on the Malaysian side by the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamad, sets the stage for a robust partnership that would focus on academic exchange, joint research, and the development of academic programmes.

Under the terms of the MoU, both universities will engage in several collaborative initiatives, including joint postgraduate supervision for MSc, MA, and PhD students; collaborative research projects in priority fields; and co-authored publications in high-impact journals.

One of the key components of the agreement is the establishment of hybrid academic events, such as annual seminars, workshops, and conferences, which will be held both online and in-person.

At USM, these initiatives shall be spearheaded by the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT).

The Academic and Research Collaboration Initiative is designed to span an initial three-year period from 2025 to 2028, with a mid-term review in 2026 to evaluate progress and make adjustments if necessary.

The programme may be renewed for an additional term, aligning with the broader five-year MoU.

A Joint Coordination Committee will oversee the implementation of the programme, consisting of three representatives from each university, and will be responsible for approving projects, resolving disputes, and conducting annual reviews.

Both institutions have committed to providing funding and logistical support, with adherence to confidentiality and intellectual property agreements in place to ensure a fair and transparent collaboration.

This MoU marks a pivotal step in strengthening academic ties between Malaysia and Bahrain, offering opportunities for faculty, students, and researchers from both nations to work together, exchange knowledge, and contribute to global academic advancement.

Text: School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT)/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md Isa