USM, PENANG, 20 February 2017 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Jantan recently hosted a roundtable discussion meeting between USM and delegates from the Australian High Commission at the Chancellory Conference Room, Chancellory Building, USM.

The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr. Rod Smith attended with his team which consisted of Honorary Consul of Australia in Penang, Dato’ Dr. Lim Huat Bee; Deputy Director Department of Education and Training, Australian High Commission, Petronilla Maurice and Second Secretary, Australian High Commission, Katelyn Hornby.

The stopover by Smith at the university was part of his official visit to Penang where he made a series of business, trade, public diplomacy, education and alumni related calls.

This was his first trip to the USM campus in Penang.

The discussion was held for about an hour, mainly discussing about the possible cooperation and collaboration between both parties on matters relating to academics and education.

Both Muhamad Jantan and H.E Mr. Rod Smith took the opportunity to present on USM and also on the Australian higher education scenario.

Smith gave an overview about contemporary Australia, its engagement with Southeast Asian nations and Australia-Malaysia relations, before taking a series of questions as well as enquiries on a variety of topics about possible collaborations with the Australian universities from some 50 academicians and researchers who attended the discussion, many of whom are themselves alumni of Australian institutions during their undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies.

Smith said that the Australian government is making concerted efforts to encourage the various higher education institutions in Australia to offer their students opportunities to study in Malaysia through scholarship programmes, as part of their internationalisation and mobility initiatives. 

"I know that USM is also very serious about such efforts and I look forward to such collaborations to take place in the near future," he said.

Also present were the Director, USM International Mobility & Career Centre (IMCC), Dr. Muhizam Mustafa; respective Heads of Departments, lecturers and principal officers of USM.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah & Tan Ewe Hoe