LAHORE, PAKISTAN, 27 November 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is exploring new cooperation opportunities with higher educational institutions in Pakistan through the signing of several Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual help on a long-term basis.

“We hope to forge closer cooperation with several universities here to either help us strengthen the existing ties or in exploring new opportunities to continue what we have done over the years,” said USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Lahore (UoL), a private university established through a foundation fund and is recognised as one of the most popular universities in Pakistan.

 

The university was established in 1999 through IBADAT Education Trust and has nearly 14,000 students. It offers studies in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Molecular Sciences, Biology and Biotechnology as well as several other courses at its three campuses in Pakistan besides having its own television production.

Currently, UoL has a close relationship with many leading universities such as Cambridge University UK, Imperial College London, Western Michigan University USA, Yeditep University of Istanbul and several universities in Iran, Turkey and Africa.

“We want to ensure that UoL always enjoyed a close relationship with various institutions of higher education in Pakistan, the West and also in other Muslim countries, including Malaysia,” said IBADAT Education Trust UoL Patron, M.A. Raoof.

The MoU was signed for both parties to cooperate in the exchange of expertise of staff and students, offering programmes of study, research and community involvement on a long-term basis.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of UoL, Awais Raoof; UoL Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M.H Qazi; UoL Rector Professor Dr. M. Saleem Shuja; USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal and the Honorary Consul General of Pakistan in Penang , Dato’ Abdul Rafique Karim.

Abdul Rafique Karim described Pakistan as an opportunity and a market that has not been fully explored by Malaysia particularly in higher education.

He who was in the working visit entourage of USM Vice-Chancellor said that vast opportunities to bring Pakistani students to study in Malaysia and vice versa, similar to the one carried out by USM in India.

“There are almost 2,000 Pakistani students in Malaysia and the number is supposed to increase through an existing cooperation, especially with many citizens of Pakistan who are able to continue their studies abroad,” said Abdul Rafique.

USM delegation also visited the National College of Arts Lahore (NCA) which started as the Mayo School of Arts in 1875 to educate its citizens in strengthening the arts and culture and to ensure their sustainability.

According to the Principal, Professor Dr. Mustaza Jafri, NCA offers education to produce scholars capable of educating and becoming leading architects, artists and designers who are able to produce papers and contribute to the world.

In the meeting, USM and NCA agreed to cooperate closely in the fields of arts, culture and heritage of both countries so that it can be appreciated by both countries, especially in Malaysia.

“We invited them to send their expertise to USM and we shall reciprocate to share with students and the local community and this includes having exhibitions and performances in Penang over a period of time that has yet to be determined,” said Omar.

Omar and his USM delegation then visited the NCA campus which is located in an over 130 years-old building and they inspected the work of the students.

“I am impressed with the NCA which is able to conserve the arts and culture of Pakistan and managed to sustain despite being minimally assisted by the Government of Pakistan, and their ability to make use of every available space to produce impressive work,” said Omar.

NCA offers studies in the fields of Communication, Media and Cultural Integration, Architecture, Design, Product Design, Music, Film and Television, and Museum and Heritage Conservation. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text and Photo: Mohamad Abdullah