UMP inks MoU with Casablanca varsity
KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with University of Hassan II of Casablanca (H2UC) in Morocco to enable the institutions to boost their academic programmes and services.
The MoU will emphasise collaborations including research, academic and student exchange programmes, dual-degree programmes for undergraduates, as well as postgraduate degree programmes.
The joint-venture will pave the way for the establishment of smart partnerships in knowledgesharing between the higher learning institutions.
UMP was represented by ViceChancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim, while H2UC was represented by its president, Idriss Mansouri. The event took place on the sidelines of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Rabat, Morocco, on Oct 11.
Present were Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, Higher Education Department directorgeneral Datin Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir and UMP International Office director Dr Nik Aloesnita Nik Mohd Alwi.
Describing H2UC as a reputable engineering school, Daing Nasir said it was a golden opportunity for UMP to collaborate with the university, especially in research, as UMP is ranked among the top 300 QS World University Rankings by subject in mechanical and manufacturing engineering.
“Other possible collaborations are in science courses, natural resources and renewable energies, including the field of business and management, as H2UC has a respectable School of Commerce and Management of Casablanca.
“It will be a good opportunity for UMP to explore areas of business engineering, similar to the collaboration with University of Reutlingen in Germany.”
Daing Nasir said H2UC had more than 100,000 students, partly due to its distance-learning courses, adding that UMP was working within the same scope with support from its lifelong learning principles via UMP Advanced Education.
He said UMP was committed to expanding its learning and teaching in the 21st-century paradigm via the Centre for Instructional Resources and e-Learning.
“The centre is responsible for UMP’s Collaborative Online International Learning and is a member of the SUNY Centre for Collaborative Online International Learning network.
“UMP is an established and competency-based technical university, specialising in engineering and technology, and strives to strengthen its international links.”
H2UC, a public university in the industrial capital of Morocco, was set up in Sept 2014.