GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, 4 March 2016 – A visit by representatives of Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) or the German Academic Exchange Service and the German Embassy in Malaysia to the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Main Campus recently aimed to explore opportunities for cooperation in academic studies, learning and research between USM and universities in Germany.

The Director, USM International Mobility and Career Centre (IMCC), Dr. Muhizam Mustafa said that, the admission of German students to USM has increased in number every year, reflecting the growth in the collaboration and cooperation initiated between USM and universities in Germany.

“Currently, students are less exposed to real-world work situations and this collaboration should be able to discuss the opportunities for USM students to interact more and participate in industrial training exercises with companies in Germany or even in Malaysia,” said Muhizam.

“All the DAAD members and I would surely support the move towards a cooperation between USM and Germany and it is hoped that it would improve and strengthen relations between the two countries,” said the Director of DAAD, Dr. Guido Schnieders.

Attaché for Cultural and Press Affairs in the German Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Carsten Fischer then said, in April, a group of Germans would be coming to visit Malaysia and USM would also be invited to discuss the future direction of the cooperation soon to be established.

Also present to discuss the opportunities for cooperation and collaboration available between the two universities was the Assistant Registrar of IMCC, Eliza Yasmin Dahlan.

Statistics of German students coming to USM have shown that there were 17 students in 2013, 38 students in 2014 and 40 in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of USM students who have been to Germany were 4 in 2013, 13 students in 2014 and 5 in 2015.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Nur Qutreen Nada Mahamud (USM internship student)