On 1st February 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), United Kingdom, for joint development on international collaboration in research, specifically to tab with the initiatives of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the transformation of SDGs implementation for Higher Education Institution (HEIs).
The MoU signing ceremony was held online from Main Meeting Room (BMU) of Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building, UTM Johor Bahru campus and MMU main campus in the City of Manchester, England, United Kingdom. The MoU was signed by UTM Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismid Md Said on behalf of UTM while Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Prof. Jenny Watling on behalf of MMU.
Dr. Mohd Ismid said that through this MoU, the emerging advancement of the Industrial Revolution of 4.0 (IR 4.0) that leads towards the computational technology that offers advanced management and analysis, can be established.
“Furthermore, through this collaboration between UTM and MMU, both institutions have acknowledged the importance of engagement through activities in teaching, learning, and training.
Both institutions also have agreed to pursue common interest through five initiatives namely Research and Development, Curriculum Formulation, Student Engagement, BIM Ready Graduate, and Knowledge Sharing for Industry-Academia,” said Dr. Mohd Ismid.
Prof. Jenny Watling later in her statement said that with the emphasis on in-demand Industrial 4.0 skills and hands-on practice, this joint development will provide both institutions’ staff and students with the required skills and knowledge in digital especially with the current need of Building Information Modelling and digital technologies readiness in the curriculum.
“Having the maximum of five UTM staff and students, the collaboration will have the privilege to participate in an exchange programme to MMU.
Furthermore, students from UTM will have the opportunity to enroll in an academic programme offered by MMU (and vice-versa) for one year (1 FTE) or one semester (0.5 FTE) subject to programme alignment between the two institutions and approval from Professional Accreditation bodies,” said Prof. Jenny.