By Nasrullah Uul (UKM Intern)
Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, 23 March 23 2015 – The National University of  Malaysia (UKM) and the Veteran’s National Development University (UPN), Indonesia will cooperate in research and exchange of academics, especially in Geology.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed here today to carry out joint research projects and student mobility and student exchange programmes.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali signed on behalf of UKM, while UPN Veteran Vice Chancellor Prof Ir Dr Sari Bahagiarti K represented the Indonesian university.

Director of the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) UKM Prof Dr Mohd Raihan Taha and the head of the Geology Department of UPN Veteran, Prof Ir Dr Sugeng Raharjo signed as witnesses.

Both sides agreed to carry out joint research projects in the field of Geology and exchange of academics to broaden areas of cooperation in all specialized academic fields.

Prof Noor Azlan, in his welcoming remarks, said Malaysians see UKM as a cultural identity but that is also parallel with the development of science and research across disciplines.

He added that with the establishment of cooperation in the academic field, there will be also a good relationship for both countries.

In the past lecturers from Indonesia had also taught as UKM and therefore there must be continuity in ties. In this case students and lecturers become envoys to realise the vision and mission of the governments.

Prof. Ir Sari said the MoU was quite appropriate, as it bore hope of beneficial cooperation between them.

According to her some lecturers from UPN Veteran will pursue doctoral programmes (PhD) at UKM, with the expectation that the knowledge gained will be of benefit to UPN Veteran.

UPN Veteran was formerly a private university but as of 6 Oktober 2014 it was inaugurated as a public university, with five faculties, six Master’s programmes and 15 undergraduate programmes. It plans to establish a Doctorate program in the future.

Even before the MoU, al had been cooperation between the two in 2003 when several lecturers from the Indonesian university visited LESTARI UKM.

In 2013 Researchers from UPN Veteran and LESTARI did joint research in geology.