UMS, Jose Rizal University Sign MoU For Regional Academic Collaboration

KOTA KINABALU, March 13 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Jose Rizal University (JRU) of the Philippines signed a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to strengthen academic and higher education cooperation in the Southeast Asian region.

UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Hj Mansor said the collaboration would not only support UMS' position in global rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE), but also enhance its role as the 'Brain of Borneo’.

"The strategic cooperation, led by the UMS Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy (FPEP) and the JRU College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, marks a new phase in the relationship between the two institutions after nearly a decade of collaboration,” he said in a statement today.

He said that among the main focuses of the collaboration is the joint research in the fields of blue economy, digital transformation and sustainable tourism.

Both universities will also explore the development of micro-credentials and credit transfer through digital certification, as well as the implementation of transnational education (TNE) programmes, including joint degrees and industrial training.

Meanwhile, UMS FPEP lecturer Prof Dr Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul said the relationship forged since 2017, through various initiatives, such as sustainability seminars and visiting professor programmes, has reached its peak with the signing of the MoU.

He said that the ongoing efforts would greatly benefit staff and students through exposure to learning experiences and real-world skills that are recognised internationally.

-- BERNAMA