STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COUNTRIES ACCELERATES GLOBAL COLLABORATION

PENANG, 15 Sept 2012 - The strategic collaboration between countries is seen as a proactive step in accelerating global collaboration agenda, including academic affairs, research and innovation.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Omar Osman said that the bilateral relations between countries through the intervention of the embassy will facilitate various aspects of the projects to transform higher education.

Thus he said, USM, for the first time, introduced the World Ambassadors Summit 2012 which aims to provide a platform for specific discussions on various current issues and improvement of existing systems that involve foreign relations.

“With the theme “Bridging Global Collaborations,” we hope that the cooperation and communication between the university will be enhanced when there are bilateral relations between the countries through their embassies or high commissions.

“It can give a more dynamic perspective as the embassies and high commissions can deliver the right information and advice in determining what is right in partnerships involving research and academic aspects,” he said.

He spoke to the media shortly after the presentation session ended for the World Ambassadors Summit 2012 which was held from 14 to 15 September at USM Penang.

The Summit was attended by ambassadors and education attachés from 12 countries comprising Argentina, Jordan, France, Iraq, Libya, Cuba, Pakistan, Iran, Palestine, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.

Omar also said the collaboration with the embassies and high commissions in Malaysia will also allow USM to receive recognition and strengthen existing ties.

“It also enables collaborations between the university and a country, improving previous ties that only involve USM and a foreign university or otherwise between Malaysia and the country of the university’s origin.

“This also shows how USM is committed in spurring higher education with the cooperation of foreign embassies and high commissions in Malaysia to facilitate various business dealings involving diplomacy and so on.

Meanwhile, a special meeting, first in the country, was organised where ambassadors gathered under an academic platform that served as a medium for USM to translate and analyse its role, goals and direction as the only university in the country to be selected for the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX).

It also seeks to emphasise in-depth on issues involving foreign students who study here, besides giving each ambassador a more accurate understanding of the welfare and advantages that foreign students receive. - Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias / Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa / Translation: Yong Check Yoon