By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 20 November 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) is to collaborate with the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) of Indonesia in various activities including research and organising workshops and conferences.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed here today by Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Professor Dr Ibrahim Males on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali who was unable to attend and Dean of Pharmacy Faculty UMG Prof Dr Subagus Wahyuono to formalise such cooperation.

Both universities are expected to carry out various joint programmes including research, teaching and learning, publishing and community services.

The signing of the MoU marked a milestone in their cooperation which began with a discussion at UGM in January, when a delegation of UKM’s Faculty of Pharmacy visited Yogyakarta.

Prof Ibrahim thanked Indonesian academics in general who had assisted various programmes especially Science and Medicine at UKM during its formative years following its establishment in the early 1970s hoping that such cooperation can be stepped up through more programmes with greater determination.

Prof Subagus said relationship between them is a reflection of the close ties between Indonesia and Malaysia in ASEAN.

The formalisation of their cooperation had afforded them a networking opportunity for the exchange of academic staff and students both undergraduates and postgraduates while benefiting from the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community next year which will be led by Malaysia, Prof Subagus said.

Deputy Dean (Graduate, Research & Innovation) Prof Madya Dr Jamia Azdina Jamal, head of the Centre of Excellence, Dr Nur Akmar Taha, Coordinator of E-Learning in the Faculty of Pharmacy Dr Ng Shiow Fern and Coordinator of Citra (Entrepreneurship) Prof Dr Shamsuddin Ahmad Fuad as well as the Deputy Deans of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, Dr Hilda Ismail and Dr Satibi attended the signing ceremony.