USM, PENANG, 11 May 2016 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) would be focusing mainly on cross collaborations to enhance research and innovation efforts as well as academics in the future.This was said by the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman in concluding his visit to the Czech Republic and to several universities in the United Kingdom recently.

Omar whom was presented with an honourary commemorative medal by the Rector of University of Pardubice, Czech Republic, Professor Dr. Miroslav Ludwig in conjunction with the signing of agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) there said that, the cross collaborations agreed upon would provide the opportunity for the shared utilisation of equipment worth millions of Euros which has been newly-acquired by the university for research studies in areas of nanotechnology, and natural and synthetic materials.

Meanwhile, during the visit to University of Brono, Czech Republic, USM has established an academic cooperation at the Doctoral (Ph.D) level in fields of Civil Engineering, Structural and Materials through ADMAS (Advanced Materials, Structures and Technologies) at its Civil Engineering Faculty.

"The centre is among the most advanced in the Czech Republic, with the available expertise and advanced laboratories in the field, and an investment of 30 million Euros put into them.

“It also employed a few hundred post-doctoral technical researchers, which could be benefitted by USM especially for research services and paid testing and also advanced research in the field of infrastructures," said Omar.

He added that, the Rector of the university, Professor Ing Petr Stepanek has also agreed for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed in the near future.

In the meantime, while in the United Kingdom, the USM Vice-Chancellor also visited the University of Bath and had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Dame Glynis Breakwell concerning future relations between USM and the university, based on the MoU signed.

"Both sides have agreed to collaborate by offering the Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) in Higher Education collaborative programme, through the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN) the soonest possible, with the candidates attending part of the programme at USM and the remaining part at the University of Bath," said Omar.

 

At the same time, both parties have agreed to explore the offering of programmes which could provide added values to the existing academic and training programmes available at both universities, in areas of international business, international education, education and policy studies as well as executive training with the various faculties and institutes available there.

The launching of the programmes and the agreement to implement them would be conducted in stages.

Also present on behalf of University of Bath in the meeting were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Bernie Morley; Pro-Vice Chancellor (Internationalisation), Professor Dr. Colin Grant; Director of the Institute for Policy Research, Professor Nick Pearce; Professor Hugh Lander; Dean of the School of Management, Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and Chairperson, DBA Higher Education Programme, Professor Jergen Sanders.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah