Curtin Malaysia and University of Mons sign MoU aimed at strengthening partnership

Miri – 28 December 2022 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Mons, also known as Université de Mons (UMONS), in Mons, Belgium, for renewal of their long-term collaboration in various fields.

In the virtual signing ceremony, Curtin Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Prof. Simon Leunig and Rector of UMONS Prof. Philippe Dubois signed for their respective universities.

Also in attendance were Curtin Malaysia’s Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vincent Lee, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Prof. Tuong-Thuy Vu, Dean of Research and Development Prof. Ramasamy Nagarajan, Deputy Dean of Research and Development and Director of the Curtin Malaysia Graduate School Prof. Agus Saptoro, and Chair of Faculty of Engineering and Science Industrial and External Relations Committee Ir. Dr. Lim Chye Ing, while UMONS was also represented by Dean of Faculty of Engineering Prof. Véronique Feldheim and Adeline Delor from UMONS’ International Relations Office.

The MoU sets the framework for collaboration in a wide range of areas, including joint education and research activities, staff and student exchange, exchange of academic materials and publications, and joint organisation of academic and scientific conferences.

In his speech during the ceremony, Professor Leunig said Curtin Malaysia was pleased to partner with UMONS as it has been very apparent that UMONS’ strengths in academia and research, could be leveraged with its strengths and status as Curtin University’s largest global campus and education and research hub in Southeast Asia.

Professor Leunig remarked that to help Curtin further expand its global footprint and enhance the quality of its scholarship, teaching and research, Curtin Malaysia is always seeking opportunities to foster partnerships with reputable institutions such as UMONS, as well as industry, business and government.

He said it currently has active MoUs with universities in multiple countries and it is looking forward to many more meaningful partnerships. In addition, Curtin Malaysia’s leading-edge research in bioprocessing, digital futures and rural entrepreneurship has been strengthened with the addition of aquaculture and strategic studies around the South China Sea.

Professor Dubois, meanwhile, said that he was excited about the MoU as it showed the commitment of the two institutions towards establishing a long-lasting and productive partnership.

He said that UMONS has over 11,000 students, about 2,000 academic staff and researchers, and more than 150 courses from undergraduate to doctorate level in various disciplines. It also has a research innovation centre carrying out translational research.

Furthermore, UMONS is a founding member of the European Universities for Customised Education (EUNICE) and Prof. Dubois, who is the inaugural president of the grouping, invited Curtin Malaysia to also collaborate with EUNICE.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

Screen shots of Prof Feldheim, Prof Dubois, Delor, Prof Leunig and Prof Vu during the signing ceremony