KOTA KINABALU, March 13 (Bernama) — Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Jose Rizal University (JRU) of the Philippines have signed a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and higher education cooperation in the Southeast Asian region.
UMS vice-chancellor Kasim Mansor said the collaboration is expected to support the university’s standing in global rankings such as the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, while reinforcing its role as the “Brain of Borneo.”
He said the strategic partnership, led by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy at UMS and JRU’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, marks a new phase in relations between the two institutions after nearly a decade of cooperation.
Among the key focus areas of the collaboration are joint research in the 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 transnational education programmes including joint degrees and industrial training.
Meanwhile, UMS Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy lecturer Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul said the partnership, which began in 2017 through initiatives such as sustainability seminars and visiting professor programmes, has now reached a new milestone with the signing of the MoU.
He added that the continued collaboration would benefit staff and students by providing exposure to internationally recognised learning experiences and real-world skills.
— BERNAMA
