USM PENANG, 11 June 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Technical University of Sofia (TUS), Bulgaria’s largest and most prominent institution for higher engineering education.

The agreement inked on 3 June 2026 at TUS, establishes a foundation for long-term academic and scientific collaboration between the two institutions in the areas of education, research, and training.

Under the MoU, both universities will pursue student and staff exchanges, the implementation of joint research projects, the organisation of seminars and training programmes, as well as the exchange of scientific publications.

These initiatives are designed to foster knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and innovation-driven education.

The Dean of the USM Graduate School of Business (GSB), Associate Professor Dr. Fathyah Hashim, represented USM at the signing ceremony, held in conjunction with the 24th International Scientific Conference Management and Engineering ’26 (ISCME’26).

Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Fathyah remarked: “This partnership reflects USM’s commitment to global networking and our vision of producing future-ready graduates with international exposure. By working closely with TUS, we aim to advance sustainability, innovation, and impactful research that benefits both Malaysia and Bulgaria.”

In addition to her role at the ceremony, Fathyah was invited as the keynote speaker, where she presented her paper titled ‘Humanising Next-Gen Governance: How Business Schools Shape Leadership in the Age of AI and ESG.’

Her address underscored the pivotal role of business schools in cultivating ethical, adaptive, and globally minded leaders equipped to navigate the challenges of artificial intelligence and sustainability-driven governance.

TUS Rector, Professor Dr. Georgi Venkov, shared his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to partner with USM, a leading institution in Southeast Asia. This MoU opens new pathways for our students and researchers to engage in meaningful academic exchange, while strengthening our role in global innovation and technological advancement.”

As a member of the European University of Technology alliance, TUS continues to expand its international partnership network, creating new opportunities for the advancement of education, science, and innovation on a global scale.

The MoU between USM and TUS marks a milestone in international academic cooperation, reflecting the shared vision of both institutions to nurture excellence, drive innovation, and create opportunities for future generations through education and research.

Source: https://tu-sofia.bg/newsEvents/19008?utm_source=chatgpt.com/ Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo:  Courtesy of Prof. Dr. Eng. Yordanka Angelova, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Technical University of Sofia