JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 7 – A distinguished delegation from Universitas Islam Dr. Khez Muttaqein (UNISMU), led by Prof. Dr Sanusi Uwes, the Rector of UNISMU, visited Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to explore opportunities for academic collaboration. The delegation included Dr Manpan Drajat, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Dr Iman Sidik Nusannas, Vice-Rector for Finance and Human Resources; Dr Surya Hadi Danna, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation; as well as deans and deputy deans from various faculties, including Islamic Studies, Economics and Business, Engineering and Computer Science, and Law. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties between the two institutions by discussing potential collaborations in Islamic studies, economics, computer science, and law.
The visit began with discussions about potential partnerships with the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST) management team. Topics included joint publications, postgraduate programs, student exchanges, colloquiums, and international service-learning initiatives. Both parties expressed enthusiasm for creating opportunities that would benefit their academic communities.
A guest lecture titled “The Impact of New Religious Movements on Religious Education” was delivered by Dr. Surya Hadi and Dr. Subhan. The lecture, attended by undergraduate students from UTM’s Islamic Education program, provided valuable insights into the challenges and implications of evolving religious movements in contemporary education.
Further discussions were conducted with the UTM International Office, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, the Director of UTM International. Representatives from various faculties attended the meeting. The focus of the discussions was on formalizing collaborations through Letters of Collaboration (LoC), Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), and Memoranda of Agreement (MoA).
Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Ariffin presented three models for international collaboration, emphasizing bilateral academic agreements, global research networks, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the Rector of Universitas Islam, Dr Khez Muttaqein, highlighted a unique collaboration opportunity that centres on artificial intelligence from an Islamic perspective.
Participants from the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science visited the UTM Aerolab at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM). They explored the lab’s state-of-the-art facilities and discussed how these resources could support collaborative engineering and computer science projects.
Prof. Dr. Sanusi Uwes, the Rector of UNISMU, expressed gratitude for UTM’s warm hospitality. He stated, “This visit marks the beginning of a promising relationship between our institutions. We look forward to impactful collaborations that will bridge academic and cultural boundaries.”
Dr. Mohd Rustam, the Manager of External and Global Engagement at FEST, added, “This visit reflects our shared commitment to fostering global academic excellence. Together, we can make significant strides in education and research.”
The visit concluded with both institutions expressing optimism about future collaborations. The discussions and activities showcased a mutual commitment to advancing academic excellence and building meaningful international partnerships.