KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Faculty of Language and Communication (FLC) of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Thaksin University, Thailand at a simple signing ceremony yesterday at Rumah Universiti here.

The MoU document was signed by Unimas Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kadim Suaidi and Thaksin University’s Vice President for Research, Academic Services and International Affairs, Dr U-Krishdh Musicpunth.

In his welcoming speech Kadim said academic and research collaboration between the two universities would help to elevate the level of expertise among researchers and academicians.

He added that the MoU would also benefit the students as it would give them the opportunity to enrich their knowledge and experience by participating in future programmes organised by both parties.

“Academic institutions are not spared from the stiff competition especially when university ranking is concerned.

“Thus, collaborating with potential partners is one of the strategies that can help us to stay relevant and survive in this competitive world that demands only the best in everything that we do,” Kadim said.

He added that the signing of the MoU would help both universities to create a new breed of trans-boundaryworking culture that will contribute to innovation and knowledge creation among academicians, researchers and students.

Meanwhile, the Dean of FLC, Prof Dr Ambigapathy Pandian said the MoU would provide a better platform for academicians from both universities to come out with innovative new ideas for research collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand.

“We have a few projects in the pipeline including introducing Thai language as one of the subjects offered in FLC and sending our language teacher to teach Malay in the Department of Foreign Studies in Thaksin University,” Ambigapathy said.

He said that prior to the signing of the MoU, a few activities had been carried out between FLC and the Western Language Department of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Thaksin University which included students’ participation at Intercultural Expedition Camp in February andco-organising of the 1st International Conference onEnglish Studies (ICES) 2018 in Krabi from June 28-29 this year.

Also present at the event were deputy vice chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad, deputy vice chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim and deputy vice chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.