USM PENANG, 22 August 2023 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) via the School of Social Sciences has recently taken steps to strengthen its ties with Gakushuin University with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU marked established ties between USM and Gakushuin, a leading private university in Japan that was established in 1949 located at Mejiro, Toshimaward in Tokyo, Japan.

This agreement will allow both parties to cooperate in key areas, namely:

1. Exchange of students and/or staff;
2. Joint research and development programmes;
3. Joint seminar, conferences, workshops and training programmes;
4. Public lectures;
5. Assessment of thesis or programmes;
6. Any other academic linkages and cooperation that will be mutually identified and agreed by the parties from time to time.

Signing on behalf of USM was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry, Community Network and Institutional Sustainability, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran, who represented the Vice-Chancellor while Gakushuin University was represented by its Vice-President, Professor Dr. Tomohiko Inui.

Azlan who expressed USM's wholehearted embrace of the collaborative partnership with Gakushuin University said that USM is always looking forward to cultivate the spirit of academic and research collaboration among fellow institutions of higher education within the Asian region and beyond.

“USM has already developed a strong connection with Gakushuin University through a series of meetings for the newly-proposed programme, Bachelor of Japanese Liberal Studies.

“This programme provides exemplary experiential learning and liberal education that follows the current national and international interdisciplinary studies trends,” he said.

Azlan highlighted that the development of this programme is also in line with the USM APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) agenda and university core values, which is based on academic involvement, research and industrial collaboration as well as student participation.

“Through the MoU with Gakushuin University, we are excited to offer our students the opportunity to participate in exchange programmes in Japan. These exchange programmes will give our students the necessary exposure to the Japanese language, culture, and values. They will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new environment, broaden their horizons, and develop a greater understanding of the world around them,” he said in his speech.

He added, “Through this partnership, we can also mutually benefit each other with the transfer of knowledge and expertise, hence creating a more comprehensive educational experience for all.”

Meanwhile, Tomohiko said that this MoU would commit both parties to work together more closely towards our common goal, the pursuit of the internationalisation of education. Each side will pursue the promotion of educational and academic exchange between the two universities.

“I sincerely hope that this MoU will serve as a new bridge for stronger cooperation between Malaysia and Japan in the future.

“The world is facing new problems such as global warming issues. I believe that our two countries can learn from and cooperate with each other in many areas to achieve sustainable economic growth,” said Tomohiko.

Also present were the Dean, USM School of Social Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan; Professor Dato’ Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian; and principal officers of both USM and Gakushuin University, Japan.

Text: Siti Fatimah Abu Mansor/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa