The University of Kent is continuing to strengthen relations with institutions in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia following a successful visit this June by colleagues Professor Ian McLoughlin, (Head of School at Medway) and Dr. Palani Ramaswamy (Reader) from School of Computing.
During the trip the delegates visited a number of institutions with the purposes of increasing overseas student numbers, raising Kent’s international profile, holding discussion on research collaboration opportunities and providing support for Kent agents in the region and a group of current Kent exchange students in Malaysia.
Included in the itinerary was a visit to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, where positive discussions on research collaboration and possible future staff exchange opportunities were held; developments which would enrich Kent’s existing partnership with NTU which currently includes a student exchange agreement and Memorandum of Understanding.
While in Malaysia, Professor McLoughlin and Dr. Ramaswamy visited another two of Kent’s well-established partner institutions; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), where they were able to spend time with Kent exchange students; and Universiti Malaya (UM), which included a meeting to confirm details regarding the Visiting Professorship position Dr. Ramaswamy has been invited to undertake, as well as discussion on initiating research collaboration between Kent’s School of Computing and UM’s Engineering Faculty.
Describing his time in Malaysia, Professor McLoughlin noted, “Malaysia – the warm, welcoming food paradise of South East Asia, is a staunch member of the British Commonwealth as well as the source of generations of overseas students for UK universities. With a well-regulated and good quality school system, a severe lack of local university places, and a hard working English-speaking populace, this is a natural partner for Kent. On a personal basis, it has been tremendously positive to engage with colleagues and partners over there, as well as have the privilege to visit Malaysia in person. We fully expect to link more closely in the years to come, for the benefit of both countries”
Over the course of their week visit, the delegates visited students, staff and university representatives from 10 institutions and across the three nations. In addition to site visits and student engagement activity during the trip, Professor Ian McLoughlin participated in the STEM Seminar Series II, hosted by Universitas Prasetiya Mulya in Indonesia, where he presented as a one of the key speakers as well as acted as a member of debate panel.
Dr. Palani Ramaswamy, who accompanied Prof McLoughlin during the visit to Malaysia, noted “On the research angle, a new research collaboration has been developed with Universiti Teknologi Petronas, the first and only private university to be awarded a 6 star research rating by the Malaysian government. Furthermore, two existing links with Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia were further strengthened. This is timely considering that some of the Malaysian universities are now in the top 200 in world university league tables with some departments on par with Ivy League schools.”
With a strong global impact based on the external networks and partnerships with leading universities across the world, the University of Kent remains committed to driving forward the development of a range of global partnership activity and is proud of our excellent international reputation and 388 links with institutions around the world.
For further information on the University’s partnership activity, please contact International Partnerships