The Singapore Management University (SMU) and Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) inked a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 May 2022, where both institutions committed to collaborate in key areas such as student and staff mobility, academic programmes, research, as well as professional and continuing education programmes. With the formalisation of the new partnership, SMU seeks to create more global exposure opportunities in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region, for its student community.
The new pact was signed by SMU President, Professor Lily Kong and UTP’s Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Professor Ts. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib. Witnessing this milestone event was UTP’s Chancellor and Chairman of SMU’s International Advisory Council (IAC) Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Mohammed Hassan Marican. Also in attendance in-person were Mr Timothy Chia, Chairman of Hup Soon Global Corporation Private Limited and member of the SMU IAC Malaysia, as well as Professor Tan Chin Tiong, Senior Advisor to SMU President. Members of UTP’s Executive Management Committee attended the signing event virtually.
In her opening address, SMU President, Professor Lily Kong remarked, “Leveraging our common priorities and complementary strengths, we endeavour to develop Industry and Innovation-focused collaborations with UTP in interdisciplinary areas of Sustainable Living and Digital Transformation. We look forward to contributing positive impact on our respective societies and the wider Asia region.”
Professor Ibrahim expressed gratitude for the support of SMU and UTP leaders and staff, who had contributed in one way or another towards the successful implementation of the partnership. He highlighted the benefits of international educational and research partnerships in a global economy and multi-cultural world.
“Through cross attachment of staff and students’ exchange, programmes and the exchange of best practices in curriculum design, collaborative research or internship opportunities, such partnerships not only strengthen both of our student's education, but also enhance the quality of research as well as enable the extension and application of knowledge to address both local and global needs,” he said.
Prior to the MOU signing event, SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business and UTP’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences had jointly conducted two virtual lectures for students from both institutions. Themed “Machine Learning and Optimisation for Health and Biofuel Analytics”, the initiative underscored the importance placed by both universities on Digital Transformation and on designing an innovative and relevant curriculum to meet evolving learning needs.
“We will certainly build on the joint undertakings and warm relations that SMU has established with UTP, to nurture a new generation of global-ready and responsible citizens for Singapore, Malaysia and the region,” Professor Kong added.
The first collaboration under this new institutional MOU sees SMU and UTP reciprocally hosting students via in-country short-term study programmes during the summer term. In addition, both universities are engaged in ongoing discussions to launch joint courses for business executives to share insights, expertise, and experiences within the next few months.