UTAR seals partnership with PUP

The collaboration with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) was substantiated with a virtual memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony, held on 17 April 2023 via Zoom.

Present at the ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, PUP President Dr Manuel M. Muhi, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, PUP Director for Office of International Affairs Dr Jonna Karla C. Bien, PUP Dean of College of Communication Dr Hemmady Mora, Director of Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Deputy Director of DCInterNet Dr Chen I-Chi, UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, FAS Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Foong Soon Seng, FAS Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Kok Hui Meian, PUP Chief of Partnership and Linkages Section Charlon T. Agos, PUP Chief of Exchange and Study Programme Section Felicitas C. Trinidad, PUP Department of Communication Research Chairperson Rudolf Anthony A. Lacerna, PUP Department of Broadcast Communication Kim Bernard G. Fejardo, PUP Department of Advertising and Public Relations Chairperson Rosanna D. Manansala, FAS Head of Department of Public Relations Bazlin Darina binti Ahmad Tajudin, FAS academic Dr Pong Kok Shiong, as well as staff.

Prof Dato’ Ewe highlighting the opportunities presented through the MoU exchange

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “UTAR’s vision is to be a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact. To ensure this vision becomes a reality, UTAR, since its inception in 2002, has actively sealed MoUs and MoAs with over 560 partners ranging from universities to corporations from more than 30 economies. These collaborations have unlocked multiple opportunities ranging from staff and student exchanges to joint ventures in research. Such joint initiatives have also resulted in many positive outcomes such as students of both economies being exposed to cultural and experiential learning through exchange programmes, staff working together for joint research, sharing of resources and other remarkable achievements.”

He added, “Today, it is with great delight that we will officially welcome PUP into UTAR’s growing list of partnerships. With this MoU, UTAR’s Faculty of Arts and Social Science and PUP will officially begin the strategic partnership to initiate joint projects/research, staff and student exchanges, study visits, industrial placement opportunities, co-supervision of the postgraduate studies and more. I strongly believe that this MoU will pave the way for a rewarding journey for both UTAR and PUP. The MoU will enable us to work even more closely in creating platforms which will enrich both staff and students’ academic experience, as well as empower them to explore learning opportunities beyond the classrooms.”

Dr Manuel expressing his support towards the partnership

Meanwhile, Dr Manuel said, “Thank you for considering PUP to be UTAR’s academic partner. Through this partnership, we will carry each other forward in joint research collaborations; conduct international conferences, academic exchanges and student exchanges; form research networks and develop academic programmes that will benefit both institutions. With this partnership that we have established, we have taken the leap, optimised our resources, and provided opportunities for our students to become agents of social change.”

He added, “With this initiative, our collaboration as academic institutions will inspire other educational institutions to make contributions that will be recognised on the international scale. Together as one, our university will continue to extend mutual support in bringing quality and accessible higher learning.”

A group photo to commemorate the partnership