Expanding Horizons: UTM Collaborates with MACEE Fulbright Malaysia

Norhayati Abdullah

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is proud to formalize its collaboration with the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) following the ink of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreement today. Staged at UTM Kuala Lumpur, UTM was represented by Professor Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, the Vice Chancellor of UTM, while MACEE was represented by its Executive Director, Mr Curtis Johnson. Since 1963, MACEE has championed educational and cultural exchange between Malaysia and the United States, notably through the prestigious Fulbright Program.

UTM has actively participated in the Fulbright Program since 1985, with 14 distinguished alumni contributing to global knowledge exchange. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment to advancing comprehensive academic and research partnerships in higher education—promoting educational diplomacy and enhancing the global prominence of UTM and Malaysian universities at large. The memorandum reinforces UTM’s global standing and reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering academic excellence and impactful collaborations between higher education institutions.

Collaborations between UTM and MACEE will enhance the promotion of research exchange programs for both academic staff and students, while also facilitating joint conferences and seminars across a range of academic disciplines. The Fulbright programs have long served as a platform for embracing cultural diversity, aligning closely with the principles of multiculturalism. These initiatives encourage scholars not only to pursue academic research but also to engage deeply with diverse cultures — fostering appreciation for nature, navigating language and lifestyle differences, and promoting cross-cultural understanding. UTM cooperation with MACEE exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation and knowledge exchange essential in today’s interconnected academic landscape. We anticipate that our collaboration with MACEE will yield transformative outcomes for the participating institutions and advance academic excellence.

Building on this legacy, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) UTM Kuala Lumpur has been a pioneer in global mobility and scholars exchange, with active involvement of staff and students in several Fulbright initiatives including the US-ASEAN Fulbright visiting scholar and UGRAD programs.

The brief but meaningful signing ceremony was also attended by Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Nurulakmar Abu Husain, Dean of Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Mr Teoh Tze Imm, Senior Program Manager of MACEE, Datin Sharifah Ikhlas Syed Ismail, External Relations Officer of MACEE and Mr Vinod a/l Mathialakan, Senior Assistant Secretary Bilateral Unit, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.