By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 8 August 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) today signed aCotutelle Agreement with Flinders University Australia (FUA) enabling selected doctorate students in the field of Nanotechnology to receive double degrees conferred by the two universities.

The agreement was signed by the Vice Chancellors of both universities, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali for UKM and Prof Micheal Barber for FUA.

Four student have already been accepted into the programme. One of them Muhammad Taqiyuddin Mawardi Bin Ayob spoke about his aspiration in undertaking research in nano material with the hope of developing a new form of glass that can detect radiation.

Students taking the double degree programme will have two supervisors one each from UKM and FUA. They are required to complete their studies within three years spending two years in UKM and one year in FUA.

Prof  Noor Azlan said the collaboration is an excellent opportunity for UKM students to play a role in the development of nano technology.

Nano technology should not be underestimated because of its size since even in economics analyses were being done at the micro level in order to get a more accurate picture of how things work.

Prof Barber said both universities have forged strong ties of collaboration with their staff undertaking reciprocal visits focusing on research, workshops and laboratory work in various areas including speech pathology.

Present at the signing ceremony was Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Prof Dr Sharim Ahmad and FUA Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Nancy Cromar and FUA delegation.