PENANG, 23 February 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is currently in discussions with the University of Bath (UoB), United Kingdom to realise the idea of implementing a collaboration to develop a number of academic programmes together.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of UoB, Professor Collin Grant said that, his side is committed towards providing the expertise and experience to achieve the intended aim of the two universities in exploring together the potential in public policies research, management of higher education and engineering among others.

He added, UoB already has the experience in those areas, in addition to having the capability in other areas of knowledge such as mathematical sciences, architecture, chemical sciences, and physics among others.

“The discussion with USM has given insights on the vast potential available for closer examination. More interestingly, the presentation on the opportinities for cooperation would not only benefit USM solely, but also that there would be benefits for the whole region throughout.

“Indirectly, it would provide UoB with greater visibility amongst the ASEAN universities and to those in the Middle East. UoB would hold more intensive discussions on this matter to ensure the success of this collaboration,” he said.

He said this during an interview in conjunction with his recent visit to USM to discuss opportunities for collaboration with USM, including the introduction of a new and unique academic programme, a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Management (DBA in Higher Education Management).

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey chaired the working visit session, which was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, Research Fellow from Research Internationalisation@USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. V. Navaratnam and key university officials.

Ching Mey also said that, USM is always striving to enhance its reputation through collaborations with strategic international partners, especially those in Europe.

She added that, there are opportunities for research potentials to be explored further with the establishment of international networks and the cooperation with UoB is one that would be realised in the near future.

In the meantime, UoB which is listed among the top10 best universities in the UK, possesses a strong capacity in both areas of research as well as in teaching and learning, encompassing studies at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.

Additionally during the discussion, UoB has also shown an interest in looking at the proposed cooperation to develop short-term courses and professional certification on public policies with the USM Centre for Innovation and Productivity in Public Administration (PIPPA).

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias / Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa