Kuala Lumpur, 10 June - Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has signed an MoU with the University of Adelaide for academic and cultural interchange activities in the areas of teaching, research and student experience.
UTP Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib signed the MOU on behalf of UTP while the University of Adelaide was represented by its Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Rathjen.
The second signatories for the MoU were UTP Chief Strategy Officer Ir Dr Aidid Chee Tahir and the University of Adelaide's Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Nancy Cromar.
The signing was witnessed by Chief Executive Officer and President of PETRONAS and Pro Chancellor of UTP YBhg Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, who is an esteemed alumnus of the University of Adelaide, as well as Institute of Technology PETRONAS Sdn Bhd Chairman YBhg Dato' Raiha Azni Abd Rahman and Minister Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Malaysia and Brunei Daniel Havas.
According to Professor Mohamed Ibrahim, the signing of the MoU is part of UTP's continued effort to realise its aspiration to become an internationally recognised higher learning institution through collaboration with a prominent and globally regarded university such as the University of Adelaide.
"Through this partnership, we hope to establish a livelier climate that offers new opportunities for our students and staff to be exposed to an internationalised educational experience," he said.
UTP and the University of Adelaide have a long-standing relationship. For the establishment of its Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences programmes, UTP benchmarked against the University of Adelaide's Australian School of Petroleum so that UTP's programmes would have fresh approaches tailored to the oil and gas industry.
In addition, with the help of Professor John Kaldi, Petroleum Geology and Engineering at the Australian School of Petroleum, the University of Adelaide, and UTP's visiting professor, both institutions aim to increase the collaboration on research projects, particularly in the areas of petroleum geosciences.
"With the support of Malaysian industry leader PETRONAS, the University of Adelaide is pleased to be signing this new agreement with UTP, at a time when our institution is becoming recognised as a truly global 21st century university," Professor Rathjen said.
He added, "Today's agreement is another chapter in our long-running connection with Malaysia, which started almost 70 years ago with the first Colombo Plan Scholars to Australia. It gives me great pleasure to continue this relationship and to further the academic exchange between Adelaide and Malaysia, providing ongoing benefits for our students, staff, industry and the economy".