Curtin Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Management and Technology to collaborate in academia and research

Miri – 16 June 2022 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to formalise and strengthen their relationship in academia, research and human capital development.

Signing on behalf of Curtin Malaysia in a virtual signing ceremony was Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Prof. Simon Leunig, while Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Huynh Thuy Phuong signed for UMT.

Other representatives of Curtin Malaysia were Chief Operating Officer Ir. Pieter Pottas, Dean of Research and Development Prof. Ramasamy Nagarajan, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Prof. Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of Faculty of Business Prof. Andreas Zins, and Associate Dean of External Engagement Ir. Dr. Lim Chye Ing.

Also representing UMT were Academic Vice-President Dr. Le Vu Quan, Dean of Technology Assoc. Prof. Tran Dan Thu, and Dean of Business Dr. Tran Nam Quoc.

“It has been highly apparent that UMT’s status as one of Vietnam’s newest and most modern universities, designed and built to international standards to be a pioneer university in training, research and administration, could be effectively leveraged with our strengths and status as Curtin University’s largest global campus and hub in ASEAN, where Vietnam is an important part of our regional focus,” said Prof. Leunig.

The MOU will facilitate the sharing of academic knowledge and best practices; staff and student exchange and engagement; joint education and research activities; exchange of academic materials and publications; exchange of faculty members for research, guest lectures and discussion; and joint organising of academic and scientific conferences, among other activities.

Further collaboration in the near future will include 3+2 programmes where students from UMT will complete master’s degrees in computing, technology and international business at Curtin Malaysia upon completion of relevant bachelor’s degrees at UMT. There will also be opportunities for Vietnamese government-sponsored students to pursue doctorate programmes at the campus.

Prof. Leunig said Curtin is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and commitment to preparing students for jobs of the future, and this also holds true for all its global campuses. Students at Curtin Malaysia receive an outstanding education in an inclusive and collaborative environment, and the Curtin curriculum, learning experiences and course delivery is highly responsive to the changing needs of industry and careers.

Huynh, meanwhile, noted that Curtin University has a number of campuses internationally but Curtin Malaysia being its largest global campus says a lot about the strategic importance the university places on the region.

She said UMT and Curtin Malaysia share common aspirations, particularly in learning and teaching, and like Curtin Malaysia, UMT also strives for excellence and innovation in everything that it does.

“As a relatively new, one-of-a-kind university in Vietnam, UMT is very eager to adapt to changes and is always ready to embrace the latest technologies and trends in research, education and administration. We are very committed to getting it right from the start, and are most keen to collaborate with, and learn from, other leading institutions in the region like Curtin Malaysia for our continued development,” she said.

Established in 2021, UMT aims to be a model of a new-style university and symbol of transformational higher education in Vietnam, built according to international standards with large-scale, well-planned modern facilities and adopting an international curriculum. It currently offers courses in information technology, real estate, multimedia, marketing and business administration.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at www.curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Prof. Leunig and Ms. Huynh holding their copies of the MoU during the virtual ceremony.