USM, PENANG, August 2017 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail recently received a courtesy visit from the representatives of Mindanao State University (MSU), Philippines at her office in the Chancellory Building here.

The two-member MSU delegation comprised of its Vice-President for Administration and Finance, Atty. Jamaloden A. Basar (representing MSU President Dr. Habib W. Macaayong) and lecturer from the College of Fisheries, Associate Professor Dr. Misael Sanguila, who were on a week-long visit to the USM School of Biological Sciences.

During the discussion, Asma and Jamaloden also took the opportunity to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would enable both institutions to establish research collaboration in environmental and other biological field of studies.

It is hoped too that through the MoU, both parties would develop high impact joint research and to embark into policy-relevant scientific knowledge, so that pressing regional issues regarding water security, biodiversity, etc can be addressed.

“We look forward to more staff and students mobility, including faculty and administrative staff exchange; students exchange at graduate and undergraduate levels as well as talent development programme and research attachment,” said Jamaloden.

Also present from USM were the Dean, School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Dr. Amirul Al-Ashraf Abdullah; Programme Manager, Aquatic and Environmental Biology Programme, Prof. Dr. Wan Maznah Wan Omar; and Honorary Professor & SEAL-NET President, Prof. Dr. Mashhor Mansor.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe