SIBU: University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Nigeria, have begun a strategic academic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen international collaboration.
The signing ceremony, held at the UTS Senate Room, here on Tuesday, involved UTS Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shahril Osman, while Unilorin was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Egbewole Wahab Olasupo.
Also present were UTS Registrar, Jimmy De Rozario @ Abdul Rahman, Dean of School of Business & Management, Prof. Dr. Winnie Wong Poh Ming, Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Dr. Mohd Zainal Munshid Harun, Dean of School of Engineering & Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dayang Siti Hazimmah Ali, Dean of the School of Foundation Studies, Mr. Kong Sieng Huat, and Director of the Centre for International Relations, Ts. Dr. Gary Loh Chee Wyai.
Representatives from Unilorin included Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Abdulwahab Funsho Atanda, Pro Chancellor, Sr. Aluko Jacob Abiodun, Deputy Vice Chancellor (RTI), Prof.Etudaiye Muhtar Adeiza, University Librarian, Prof. Omopupa Kamal Tunde, and Council Member, Olayiwola Suliat Abosede Juwon.
The strategic partnership aims to foster academic exchanges, joint research, knowledge sharing, and capacity building, providing students and faculty with new opportunities for collaborative projects, professional development, and access to diverse expertise.
Both universities expressed their commitment to expanding cross-border cooperation in higher education and promoting academic excellence through impactful collaboration, ensuring tangible benefits for both institutions.
According to Dr. Mohd Shahril, the agreement reflected the shared vision to empower innovation and nurture global learning experiences.
“It will offer our students and faculty increased access to joint research initiatives, international exchange programmes, and cross-border collaborative projects that broaden academic and professional development opportunities,” he said.
The MoU sets a framework for cooperation in joint postgraduate research, scholarly exchanges, curriculum development, and knowledge transfer, laying the foundation for long-term academic and cultural partnerships.
This collaboration marks a significant step in UTS’s academic outreach, supporting its mission to become a centre for global knowledge exchange and advance higher education excellence in Sarawak and beyond. -UKASnews
