JOHOR BAHRU, 14 Feb. – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and National University of Singapore (NUS) has decided to formalize the existing cooperation and collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), today.
The objective of MoU signing was to exchange scientific, academic and technical information and expertise between both parties to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
UTM was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Sr. Dr. Hishamuddin Mohd Ali, while NUS was represented by the Director of NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), Prof. Ng How Yong.
NUS is one of the top universities in Asia, with key research areas align well with UTM niche areas, such as health innovation; energy, environmental and urban sustainability; maritime and offshore research; materials research; and smart nation.
Both UTM and NUS are also part of the network and alliances of universities in this region, such as the ASEAN University Network (AUN), AUN-South East Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net), and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE).
The collaboration between UTM and NUS actually goes back decades. The short distance between the two institutions and the shared vision and mission, have catalyzed the strong culture of collaboration and cooperation.
Various activities have been carried out between the students and staff of both institutions, such as joint research and publications, visits and exchange of students and staff, as well as exchange of information and academic materials.
It is thus appropriate that a formal MOU is signed, to consolidate, streamline and assist all activities already on-going and those in the pipelines.
This MOU was spearheaded by the research collaboration between the Faculty of Science, UTM and NERI NUS.
The joint research and development activities involved the study of microbes and the microbiomes, specifically plant-microbe interactions and single cell protein production from methane.
These projects aimed at integrating bio-economy with sustainability, through microbiome innovations, to improve the way we produce food and feed.
ChM. Dr. Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab, from the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science UTM, spent two years (from 2019-2021) working in the laboratory of Assoc. Prof. Sanjay Swarup at NUS as a post-doctoral visiting scientist.
This research attachment was aimed at creating a long-term collaborative network between UTM and NUS.
This MOU also opened up avenues for collaborations between UTM researchers and NUS scholars, from a wide range of science and technology fields, to enhance research excellence on both sides.
This collaboration will also lead to enhanced student learning experiences, and the internationalisation efforts, through sharing of resources and best practices from both sides.
