TUS signs partnership agreement with Malaysian university
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and an articulation agreement with Tunku Abdul Rahmen University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Malaysia.
The new partnership will create an exciting launchpad for further collaboration in various arenas, including staff, student, and researcher mobility.
As part of the newly signed agreement, both institutes will explore mutually beneficial forms of cooperation, including study tours, exchange of students and academic personnel, pathway programmes, summer school programmes, cooperative R&D activities, design of courses, symposia, and academic programmes.
VP of International at TUS, Donnacha McNamara and Dean of Faculty, Applied Science and Technology, TUS Moylish Campus, Dr Maura Clancy, travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend the signing ceremony which was supported by Irish Ambassador to Malaysia, HE Hilary Reilly, and Enterprise Ireland ASEAN Head Ms Jayanthi Thevarajah.
Director of Asia, TUS, Jack Meng and Kean Yeap Yong, International Marketing and Recruitment, TUS were also in attendance at the event.
Commenting on the significance of the new partnership, Mr McNamara said: "Today marks a momentous occasion for our two newly formed universities. We are committed to expanding relationships with our global partners to attract international students and researchers to TUS and offering international opportunities to our students, staff and researchers."
“Through this partnership, we aim to increase international cooperation between Malaysia and Ireland through mutual cultural understanding, exchange of academic and technological resources and joint research-based and educational initiatives.
“We value the support of Enterprise Ireland in the region and the Embassy of Ireland, particularly Ambassador Hilary Reilly, Irish Ambassador to Malaysia. We look forward to developing further programmes with the team at TAR UMT and to further the internationalisation objectives for both universities”.
President of TAR UMT, Prof. Ir. Dr Lee Sze Wei, added: “We appreciate the partnership, which has extended since our TAR College days. We look forward to continuing the partnership and developing more meaningful collaboration regarding research collaborations, student and staff exchanges, and more, which echoes the sentiments of VP International Donnacha McNamara and colleagues from TUS.”
Malaysia has been a priority international region for TUS, participating in Enterprise Ireland trade missions and Education Ireland fairs since 2009.
Over 120 students from Malaysia and South East Asia are studying across its six campuses. Over 50 students from TAR UMT have studied in TUS in the past decade.
TUS International Offices are based in Athlone and Limerick, with International Student Liaison Offices located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; New Delhi, India; Shanghai, China, and the latest launch took place in April in Lagos, Nigeria.
With a network of over 200 global partners, the TUS International Office remains dedicated to enhancing international collaborations in critical regions such as Malaysia through the mobility of both staff and students.
These initiatives enrich the academic experience and foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise among diverse cultures and backgrounds.