Kota Kinabalu, 11 October 2022 - Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build stronger academic reputation and strengthen both institutions research capabilities through rigorous academic-research networking.
The MoU would emphasise on cooperation in the areas of collaborative foundation and undergraduate programme, joint organisation of seminars, symposium, conferences, and public lectures, joint collaborative research, joint supervision of postgraduate studies and student mobility.
At the event, UTP was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Prof Ts. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib and its Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic, Prof Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar while UCSF was represented by its Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rafiq Idris and its Company Secretary, Waky Taim.
The signing was witnessed by Chairman of UTP Board of Directors and PETRONAS Senior Vice President of Project Delivery and Technology, Datuk Bacho Pilong and Director of Yayasan Sabah, YB Dato’ Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar.
Also present were Minister of Local Government and Housing, and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun representing Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor and UTP Pro Chancellor and PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik.
Prof Rafiq said, “UTP is a strategic partner on which its expertise and experience in producing graduates, particularly for the oil and gas sector, is something that can be beneficial for UCSF.
“Collaboration in academic and research activities can benefit both parties. It is hoped that in the long run, more Sabahans with the required qualification can support the expansion of the oil and gas industry, particularly in the down streaming activities,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to Prof Mohamed Ibrahim, the collaboration with UCSF is part of UTP’s ongoing effort to grow their network of local and international academic partners that have a mutual interest in driving education excellence.
"We are constantly expanding and growing our network and collaborative efforts in realising our aspiration to become a prominent internationally-recognised higher learning institution,” Prof Mohamed Ibrahim said.
With this MoU, UCSF Foundation and Diploma students will gain a progression pathway that will allow them to further their studies at UTP, where they can pursue degree programmes in Business Management, Information Technology and Information System.
In addition, UTP will also support UCSF in developing its Foundation in Science Programme curriculum for UCSF to run its own engineering programmes. Students who have completed their Foundation studies at UCSF are eligible to apply for their bachelor’s degree at UTP.
“At UTP, we prepare students with the necessary skills to meet the challenges and ensure that Malaysia has a continuous supply of competent talent and workforce. The university’s robust and industry relevance academic programmes, its state-of-the-art lab facilities, its effective seven-month student industrial internship programme and industry collaborations with partners especially in the oil and gas sectors, further set UTP’s engineering and science degree programmes apart from others,” Prof Mohamed Ibrahim added.
Also, through this collaboration, UCSF staff will be given the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at UTP to thrive in a sustainable manner through the sharing of skills and knowledge with UTP faculty members.
