Sussex opens up collaboration with Malaysian university UiTM
A new agreement between the University of Sussex and a Malaysian university opens up opportunities for collaboration including doctoral recruitment and research.
Sussex alumnus and Vice-Chancellor of UiTM, Professor Tan Sri Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar (left), and Sussex’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Michael Davies (right), signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering a variety of proposed collaborative activities and research.
During the visit, the delegation of three senior academics from UiTM discussed with Sussex staff a number of possible opportunities for collaboration including doctoral recruitment and research.
The number of international students coming to study at Sussex from South East Asia has increased from 146 to 276 over the last three years, indicative of the growing interest in Sussex from the region and the increased number of visits that University staff have made to South East Asia.
Sussex is looking to develop research opportunities as well as student and staff mobility schemes through establishing partnerships in the region.
And earlier this month the University hosted a visit from a Sussex alumnus who is now Vice-Chancellor of a Malaysian university, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Professor Tan Sri Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar, who completed his doctorate in Civil Engineering at Sussex in 1994, was visiting Sussex as part of a trip to the UK.
He was accompanied by his wife, YBhg Puan Sri Prof Dr Hanizah Ab Hamid, Professor in Civil Engineering at UiTM, who finished her DPhil in Mechanical and Structural Engineering at Sussex in the same year.
They reported that a large number of Sussex alumni work at UiTM.
The third member of the delegation was Professor Hadariah Bahron, UiTM’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Commercialisation).
During the visit, Professor Sahol and Sussex’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Michael Davies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering a variety of proposed collaborative activities and research.
The visit by the UiTM delegation follows a visit made by Professor Davies in January to UiTM and other South East Asian partners to explore research opportunities.
One proposal being taken forward is by the Business and Management department at Sussex, who will host a visiting academic from UiTM in 2016.
Discussions have also explored opportunities for UiTM-funded academics to receive part of their PhD training at Sussex.
Any academic staff working in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam who wish to explore other possible activities are invited to contact Georgie Chesman, International Partnerships Officer.
As part of efforts to further increase the number of students coming to Sussex from South East Asia, the University will be opening a regional office in Malaysia in November 2015 to further develop academic partnerships, promote the University and further develop alumni connections.