Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Atyrau Oil and Gas University (AOGU) Kazakhstan conducted a virtual ceremony recently for the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to intensify activities in the areas of academic, research, as well as the exchange of faculty and students.

The signatories for the MoU were AOGU Chairman of the Board-Rector Prof Dr Gulzada Shakulikova and UTP Vice Chancellor Professor Ts. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib.

Also present at the event were Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia Mr Samat Zhanabay and delegates from AOGU and UTP.

Speaking at the event, Professor Mohamed Ibrahim said, “We see this form of collaboration and networking as a vital growth for UTP. By combining our strengths and expertise, it can propel both institutions to achieve world class education.

“The MoU will enable us to work closely especially in creating platforms that will enrich students’ learning experience as currently, many leading world higher education institutions are pushing for globalised learning exposure to equip students with the necessary understanding and experience to work cross borders.

“We also hope this collaboration will pave the way to attract more prospective students from Kazakhstan to study in UTP and the Southeast Asian countries. This will strengthen our higher education value proposition, capacity and capabilities in Malaysia," he added.

UTP and AOGU have already implemented their partnership with UTP hosting five AOGU students for its Virtual Student Exchange Programme. Moving forward, both institutions are working to develop a few joint academic programmes for a joint or dual degree as well as community outreach programme.