Wollongong signs agreement with one of Malaysia's top universities

Jun 06, 2005

The University of Wollongong recently signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) agreement with the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, one of Malaysia's oldest and most prestigious universities.

The agreement will incorporate a range of joint collaborations including student exchange, joint research in Education and Arts including work with the Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) and an ongoing series of research grants investigating the issues of global English in university education in Australia and Malaysia. The MOU also incorporates existing work in the areas of archaeology being conducted with USM.

Professor Ambigapathy Pandian, Deputy Dean of Humanities at USM, attended the signing on behalf of USM's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.

Associate Professor Peter Kell from UOW's Faculty of Education, said that one of the interesting research projects to be undertaken included a photography project for young children who would record and document their life through pictures.

“It is a big plus for the University of Wollongong to be affiliated with such a strong Malaysian university,” he said. “We will be building our research profile in the area and also looking at the similar higher education challenges affecting both universities.”

Professor Kell said that the agreement would also allow for staff exchange in the near future.

“Australia has a strong shared history with Malaysia in the areas of education and this MOU will provide an umbrella for everyone to work under and will strengthen this international relationship.”

Professor Ambigapathy Pandian said his short stay in Australia at UOW had enabled future developments including student exchanges and the opportunity to develop joint curriculum in teaching and learning.

“The University of Wollongong is very similar to USM in many ways, particularly physically,” he said.

“USM is known as 'the University in a garden' and is similar in size, strength and the spread of disciplines as Wollongong”.

As part of the new relationship with USM, Dean of Education at the University of Wollongong, Professor Barry Harper, will be keynote speaker at the forthcoming International Literacy Conference to be held in Penang in August. One of the themes of the conference is the use of new technologies of learning. Participation in the conference will enable both partners to consolidate this emerging partnership.

-RP