UTAR and USIM discuss mutualistic collaborations

From left: Loh, Saifullah, Dr Lai, Dr Mahazan, Prof Rahim, Prof Ewe, Prof Ridza, Prof Hamiruce, Prof Faidz, Ishah, Fook, DCInterNet staff Ong Yoon Furn and Ong Soo Weon

UTAR and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) set to work together as future collaborations were discussed and expected.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin and delegates from USIM paid a visit to UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 20 January 2020. The delegates were Prof Ridza, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Prof Dr Abdul Rahim Abd Rahman, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Prof Dr Mohammad Hamiruce Marhaban, Research & Innovation Management Centre Director Assoc Prof Dr Mahazan Abdul Mutalib @ Taib, Head of Division of Student Affairs Md Ishah Rahman and Assistant Registrar Mohd Saifullah Zulkapli.

Welcoming the delegates from UTAR were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Director of Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Head of Department of Student Affairs Loh Nyuk Leung, Head of Department of Soft Skills Competency Fook Oi Yee, Director of Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations Ong Soo Weon and staff.

As he welcomed the delegates, Prof Ewe introduced the background of UTAR, including the programmes it offered as well as the UTAR Soft Skills Development Certificate (USSDC).

“The USSDC is comprised of ten core components, some of which are complex problem solving and entrepreneurship skills,” Prof Ewe said as he shared some insights into the programme, which derived its core components of essential skills from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Prof Ridza was particularly interested in adopting the USSDC model to improve the soft skills programmes conducted by USIM. They also sought resources to enhance Mandarin language learning experience in their varsity through UTAR Centre for Chinese Studies.

At the same time, UTAR was keen to gain insight into USIM’s halal expertise, in correspondence to the booming of the halal industry. “We are glad to assist UTAR in this area through The World Fatwa Management and Research Institute (INFAD),” said Prof Ridza.

With the intention to broaden the horizon of students, UTAR and USIM are also expected to collaborate in a number of programmes and projects involving the students from both sides.

“We will conduct community projects in rural areas and hold free medical checkup and classes. We can have students from both universities to organise the projects together,” Prof Ewe suggested.

Both universities have MBBS students doing internships at Ampang Hospital. Hence, Prof Ridza believes that it would be a good place to start. “We can start there to build rapport,” he said.

“We can also increase the learning experience in subjects such as Hubungan Etnik,” said Prof Rahim.

With USIM in the picture, UTAR will also be able to expand the New Village E-Commerce Project to more potential villages around Malaysia. The programme had successfully boost local products from villages through the e-commerce platform. Ranging from soy sauce, coffee, snacks and many more, some of the products were redesigned to upgrade the packaging through the assistance of UTAR students as a means to increase the market value of the products.

On a side note, Prof Faidz also welcomed USIM to join the KLESF effort in increasing awareness and interest of school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and courses.

The discussion also saw both parties agreeing on other collaborations including research, student exchange programme and talk sharing sessions.

Prof Ewe (left) and Prof Ridza exchanging souvenirs

For more photos of the visit click here.