PENANG, November 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and University of Rajshahi (UR), Bangladesh, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the areas of physical geography and environment.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman signed on behalf of USM while UR was represented by Professor Dr. Md Zahidul Hassan from the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

According to Omar, the MoU covered collaboration in scientific research and educational cooperation between the constituent parties including the academic units, research institutes and faculty members in environmental management, natural resources, environmental hazards and climate change.

“Besides that, both parties also agreed to work on developing geographic information systems (GIS) and conducting research in social and human geography e.g. demography, culture and gender of the local community.

“Due to the many similarities in terms of geography, resources and climate between Malaysia and Bangladesh, I believe this collaboration will bring many benefits to both parties as well as both countries,” Omar said.

Meanwhile, Md. Zahidul welcomes such international collaboration, all the more with a prestigious and well-known university like USM.

“It is my hope that through this MoU, more of my faculty members and also from the Geography Section, School of Humanities USM will be able to identify some research projects in the related field that they could embark upon in the near future,” he said.

UR, established in 1953, is the second largest university in Bangladesh.

Among those present were the Dean, School of Humanities, Associate Professor Dr. Hajar Abdul Rahim; Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Networking) School of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Chan Ngai Weng; lecturers from UR Associate Professor Md. Mizanoor Rahman and Associate Professor Dr. Md. Rejaur Rahman who is currently doing his postdoc at USM. - Translation & Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa