Kuala Lumpur, 02 July, 2012 - UCSI University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University (RRU) - the only university located in the Chachoengsao province of Thailand - to foster academic and research collaboration.

The partnership hopes to create an ideal learning environment that nurtures academic achievement and research excellence – through an exchange of qualified professors, research scholars and students – that will undoubtedly promote the exchange of ideas, mutual enrichment and research between the two institutions.

Wholly-owned by the Thai Government, RRU offers academic programmes in the areas of Management Science, Education, Arts, Science and Engineering, to name a few, and is affiliated with leading institutions in the United States, Australia, China, Hong Kong and Japan.

Witnessed by several RRU faculty members, namely the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences Assistant Professor Pornpimol Viriyakul and the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences Dr Annop Jaroensilp, the move also marks a significant milestone for both universities as UCSI University will be the first Malaysian university to collaborate with RRU.

After the signing ceremony, the President of RRU Assistant Professor Aneck Tepsupornkul said: "Malaysia is known as an excellent education hub that offers a diverse consortium of international programmes and educational facilities."

Thus, this collaborative partnership, he added, is a great opportunity (for learners) to expand their international knowledge and experience a different culture.

UCSI's Deputy Vice Chancellor of International Relations Professor Dr Lee Chai Buan anticipated that the move will further boost UCSI University's efforts in providing quality education to Malaysians and the international community.

She elucidated: "Partnerships such as this will certainly enhance the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Thailand, as industry practitioners, researchers and students from RRU will work closely with UCSI University on various joint research projects and international programmes."

Deliberations are currently in place to combine research efforts in health science and food science.

UCSI's Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs & Research Professor Emeritus Dr Lim Koon Ong and UCSI University's Dean of the Faculty of Business & Information Science Associate Professor Dr Toh Kian Kok were also present for the signing ceremony.