USM, PENANG, 14 March 2016 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently received a courtesy visit by a delegation from Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi (UNPAB) Indonesia to discuss further collaboration in the field of Distance Education (DE).

The USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman said the distance learning dual degree programme established would better enhance the cooperation between the two universities and would bring long-term benefits for both universities in the transfer of knowledge and technology. 

"USM also sees distance education as means of strengthening its position as a global university," he added.

UNPAB Rector, Dr. Muhammad Isa Indrawan who led a six member delegation said, with the cooperation that has been signed by both universities before, it is hope that linkages could be empowered through related distance learning programmes as UNPAB has just begun implementing distance education programmes and would require the assistance and expertise from USM in this exercise.

"It is hoped that the training and technical assistance would be provided by USM to UNPAB in relation to distance learning, so as to ensure that UNPAB would be on par with USM in this field," he explained.

He added that the cooperation in the field of research, with the involvement of its lecturers, is also being eyed by UNPAB.

Also present during the visit was the Dean of the USM School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), Professor Dr. Mustafa Fadzil Farid Wajidi together with selected PPPJJ lecturers.

Translation: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah