Building international connection with SRM Group of Institutions

 The virtual meeting led to a successful discussion for potential collaboration between UTAR and SRM Group of Institutions

A discussion aimed to synergise communication between UTAR and SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram, India was conducted online through Google Meet on 22 July 2020.

The delegates were International Relations Asst Director Dr Abraham Benjamin Samuel from SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram and Trichy; Executive Director Dr S Raghupathy from SRM Group of Institutions, Trichy;  Dean Dr Selvakumar from SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Ramapuram; Principal Dr R S Kumar from SRM Easwari Engineering College (Autonomous), Ramapuram; Principal Dr B Ganesh Babu from SRM TRP Engineering College, Trichy; Principal Dr Santham from SRM Nursing College, Trichy; Deputy Director Dr Kathiravan,  Asst. Director Dr Ravichandran Cingaram, Dean (Academics) Dr Saravanan, and Dean (Research) Dr Venkatachalapathy from SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram; Dean (Science and Humanities) Dr Sundar from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram; Vice-Principal of School of Architecture Lokesh Kumar from SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Ramapuram; and International Relations Business Analyst Vhyvhitavya Vadlamani from SRM Group of Institutions, Ramapuram.

Present at the meeting on behalf of UTAR were Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development  Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang; Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan; Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Deputy Dean for Academic Development & Undergraduate Programmes Ir Dr Ng Choon Aun; FEGT Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lo Po Kim; Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min;  LKC FES Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee; Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) Department of Computer and Communication Technology Head Ts Dr Vasaki Ponnusamy; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat; FMHS Department of Nursing Head Liew Siew Fun; Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng; Faculty of Science Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Phoon Lee Quen; Faculty of Science Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Sit Nam Weng; Institute of Postgraduate Studies & Research of Sungai Long Campus Deputy Director Ts Dr Ezra Morris Abraham Gnanamuthu; Division of Community and International Networking (DCInternet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi.

During the meeting, both parties shared information about the respective university and faculties in order to enhance mutual understanding. To encourage international collaboration on a higher level, both parties hoped to seek similar areas of interests and opportunities to expand the student experience and faculty growth. Some potential areas of collaboration discussed during the meeting were student and faculty exchange programmes, semester abroad programme for specific subjects, internships, funded projects, joint supervision of masters and PhD projects for grant, study tour, and virtual lab. The discussion further focused on research collaboration, undoubtedly a way for both parties to gain more knowledge on the interdisciplinary and collaborative research process by sharing researchers’ experiences. The meeting was a fruitful discussion, with both sides agreeing to further enhance communication to promote mutual understanding and discuss potential collaboration that would be beneficial to both parties.