A courtesy visit from UMPSA to the Official Residence of the German Ambassador to Malaysia to strengthen international partnership

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 November 2024 - The delegation from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) made a courtesy visit to the official residence of the German Ambassador to Malaysia recently. 

During the meeting, the UMPSA delegation was invited to a breakfast session with His Excellency Dr. Peter Blomeyer, the German Ambassador to Malaysia.

The delegation was led by Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, who is currently performing the function of the Vice-Chancellor of UMPSA. 

Accompanying her were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Lt. Col. Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, the Director of the International Relations Centre, Associate Profesor Dr. Mohd Azmir Mohd Azhari, and Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir from the Centre for International Relations. 

The presence of these senior leaders and representatives from the Centre for International Relations reflects UMPSA’s strong commitment to strengthening international partnerships and driving strategic, high-impact internationalisation efforts.

During the discussion, several key topics were highlighted, including the direction of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Germany, particularly in the field of higher education. 

Focus was also given to expanding UMPSA’s international academic footprint through student exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and mobility programmes that provide students and academic staff with invaluable international exposure and experience.

One of the main topics discussed was the planning of the 15th-anniversary celebration of UMPSA’s dual degree programmes with German higher education institutions. 

This collaboration began in 2010 with Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) through the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics Engineering programme, followed by the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Automotive Engineering in 2012 and the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical (Electronics) Engineering in 2022. 
Additionally, UMPSA has established partnerships with Reutlingen University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences. 

These include the Bachelor of Business Engineering with Honours programme with Reutlingen University, launched in 2015, as well as new programmes such as the Bachelor of Business Engineering with Honours (2024) and the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with Honours in collaboration with Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, slated to begin in 2025.

These strategic collaborations provide UMPSA students with the opportunity to earn degrees from both institutions, granting them invaluable international experience and enhancing their employability in the global job market.

Speaking about the visit, Profesor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha remarked, this meeting reaffirms the shared commitment between UMPSA and Germany to enhancing the quality of higher education, research, and innovation on a global scale. 

“Our partnership with German institutions has not only provided our students with world-class educational opportunities but has also strengthened our university’s position as a leading global institution,” she said. 

This visit further solidifies the relationship between UMPSA and Germany, symbolising a shared aspiration to advance excellence in higher education, research, and innovation at the international level. 

It also showcases UMPSA’s ongoing dedication to nurturing global-ready graduates and maintaining its reputation as a key player in international academia.

By: Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Centre for International Relations