PENANG, Jan 30. 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) here today with the University of Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) to look at opportunities that can be explored together.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman, said that preliminary discussions with the UMRI will be followed by cooperative planning involving intensive discussions among fellow university deans.

He said follow-up action will taken by all parties involved to continue the cooperation that was signed today. USM will study and analyse UMRI requirements in more detail.

“We see the potential to develop and discuss the type of cooperation that should be given appropriate attention,” he explained in a special session with UMRI delegation comprising the Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering and Health.

In the meantime, the chief delegate who is also the UMRI Rector, Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Diah Z, said that he was delighted collaborate with USM, a university that is considered as one of the best in the country.

“We are honored to share knowledge with USM and hope that this institution helps UMRI in enhance the worthinessand expertise of UMRI lecturers,” he said.

UMRI is a private university established on 5 July 2008 and listed as the 39th Muhammadiyah University in Indonesia.

Also present at the meeting were the Academic and International Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Student Affairs and Development Division (BHEPP) DVC, Prof. Adnan Hussein; and School Deans. Text: Rafizah Nor Md Zain / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa/Translation: Yong Check Yoon