The University of Kent was delighted to host a delegation from Malaysia from 22 – 24 November. The delegation’s intention was to discuss collaboration opportunities within the area of research management and therefore the visit deliberately coincided with the University’s latest Global Research Opportunities Workshop (GROW). The objective of this GROW event was to provide Kent staff with information on funding opportunities to support research with Developing (or ODA Recipient) countries. The workshop allowed the delegation to learn more about Kent’s research development and management in order to better identify collaboration opportunities.
During the visit the University of Kent learned more about the research management priorities in Malaysia and mutual research interests were identified. Research Services played a key role in the visit, sharing their expertise with the delegation. The delegates were also met by a group of current Malaysian students, who provided a valuable insight into the student experience at Kent.
The delegation consisted of representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, along with notable staff from the University of Malaya and the Universiti Putra Malaysia:
- Assoc. Prof Dr Noor Zalina Mahmood, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science University of Malaya
- Mrs Noor Hidayati Ismail, University of Malaya
- Professor Dr Mohamad Hamiruce Marhaban, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia
The University has a developing relationship with the University of Malaya, formalized by the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2016. Director of International Partnerships, Hannah McNorton:
‘The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to bring colleagues from across the University together; from both academic and professional service backgrounds. The fruitful discussions have served to deepen links with our partner, the University of Malaya, and we look forward to this next exciting phase of developing the University’s relations with Malaysia’.