UK-Malaysia-Jiangsu (China) Higher Education Forum drives strategic global collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 February 2025 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) participated in the UK-Malaysia-Jiangsu (China) Higher Education Forum, organised by the British Council at Sunway University. 

The forum brought together higher education leaders from the UK, Malaysia, and Jiangsu (China) to explore opportunities for academic collaboration, knowledge exchange, and research innovation.

The event was officially opened by the Director General of Higher Education, Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman followed by a keynote address from Provost and CEO of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, who emphasised the importance of aligning institutional goals to foster sustainable and impactful global partnerships.

UMPSA played an active role, with Vice-Chancellor of UMPSA, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, contributing as a panellist in Panel Discussion 1: Opportunities and Barriers in Trilateral and Multilateral Partnerships in Higher Education. 

The discussion, moderated by Director Malaysia, British Council, Jazreel Goh MBE featured insights from Deputy Director, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education; Dr. Xiaoxiang Mao, CEO & Provost, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Professor Vishna Devi V. Nadarajah, and Director for International Research, Lancaster University, Professor Kirk Semple. 

The 45-minute session explored policy frameworks, regulatory challenges, and strategies to sustain trilateral and multilateral partnerships. 

Professor Yatimah highlighted UMPSA’s successful collaboration with Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), which recently celebrated 45 graduates from its dual degree programme in January. 

She emphasised the impact of such partnerships, stating, our collaboration with BJTU demonstrates how industry-focused academic programmes can enhance graduate employability. 

“We are not just producing graduates; we are developing professionals equipped to thrive in the global workforce,” she said. 

Participating in the forum were Director of the Centre for International Relations, Associate Professor Dr.-Ing. Mohd Azmir Mohd Azhari, Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir from the Centre for International Relations; and Mohd Ferdaus Musa from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

The UMPSA delegation also participated in Panel Discussion 2: Ideas on Innovative Collaborations Between the UK, Malaysia, and Jiangsu (China). 

Speakers from Universiti Malaya (UM), the University of Liverpool, Sunway University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and the University of Portsmouth explored new partnership models to enhance academic and research cooperation.

Additionally, the delegation toured Sunway University’s research and innovation facilities.

The tour was led by Head of the Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilisation, Professor Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua,  and Dr. Anwar Majeed, a UMPSA alumnus and now an Associate Professor at Sunway University. 

It provided insights into key research hubs, highlighting potential areas for collaboration. 

The forum also provided an opportunity for UMPSA to engage with representatives from UK institutions, including Associate Dean for Global Engagement at Liverpool John Moores University, Dr. Robyn Pyne, Director of the Eurika Robotics Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dr. Esyin Chew, Associate Dean for Global Engagement at the University of Portsmouth, Professor Raymond Lee, and  Project Manager in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Liverpool, Chyntia Yu Wang.

Discussions centred on expanding student mobility initiatives, joint research projects, and a potential dual PhD programme.

Reflecting on UMPSA’s participation, Professor  Dr. Yatimah Alias remarked, global partnerships are at the heart of higher education transformation. 

“UMPSA remains committed to fostering networks that drive innovation, enrich learning experiences, and create lasting impact,” she said. 

The UK-Malaysia-Jiangsu Higher Education Forum highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges and enhancing academic excellence. 

Moving forward, UMPSA hopes to strengthen its engagement with global institutions, ensuring that its students and researchers remain at the front line of innovation, knowledge exchange, and transformative education.

By: Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Centre for International Relations