KUCHING: 16 public and government-owned universities from the Borneo archipelago have successfully come together through the inaugural Konsortium Universiti Universitas Borneo (KUUB), led by Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) over three days, starting Monday.

With the support of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), this collaborative platform among Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei was established to elevate educational standards and foster regional integration among the three participating countries.

In a speech read by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee, the Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, expressed confidence that KUUB would also enhance awareness of cultural diversity, arts, traditions, and ethnicities, as well as promote regional integration among Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

“Looking ahead, we hope there will be projects or programs planned after this consortium, whether in 2023 or 2024. The ministry is fully committed in supporting and assisting KUUB, and we expect all participating universities and ministries to sign the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs) to strengthen the establishment of KUUB. This effort aligns with the Sarawak government and the nation's aspirations to make this region a premier destination for higher education excellence internationally,” he said in his speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Inaugural Workshop & KUUB Iftar on Wednesday.

Datuk Dr. Annuar, representing Datuk Roland, has also presented mementos as a token of appreciation to each participating university.

The participating universities include eight from Malaysia: Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak, UiTM Sabah, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS); three from Brunei: Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei; and five from Indonesia: Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Palangka Raya, and Universitas Tanjungpura.

Also present were Universiti Putra Malaysia Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Professor Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, MEITD Permanent Secretary, Azmi Bujang, Universiti Putra Malaysia Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, UPMKB Campus Director, Professor Dr. Shahrul Razid Sarbini, and Chief Assistant Director of the Education, Loan, and Repayment Division of Yayasan Sarawak Watson Chunggat Leornard Doo.

The event concluded with all attendees enjoying a communal iftar meal together.

Credit: UKAS Edition.

Date of Input: 30/07/2024 | Updated: 02/10/2024 | lanz