VIRTUAL TOUR
2015
13 MarUCSI University Signed MoU with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), Ireland
KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University expanded its internationalisation initiative by inking a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), Ireland.
The MoU was signed by UCSI Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs and Support) Prof Dr Teoh Kok Soo and Mr Robert Smyth, a WIT lecturer who was representing WIT’s School of Engineering Dean Dr Ken Thomas.
The signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of Ireland in Kuala Lumpur and was witnessed by the Irish Ambassador, His Excellency Declan Kelly.
The MoU emphasises collaboration in advanced standing or articulation arrangements for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, curriculum development projects, online delivery pilot programmes, joint conferences, faculty and technological exchange programmes, as well as joint research and development programmes between both institutions of higher education.
According to Mr Robert Smyth, the collaboration will contribute to invaluable experiences for the students and staff for both institutions of higher education, especially in the fields of engineering, architecture and built environment.
“Ultimately, both parties will have a better understanding on the ways their countries are involved in the construction industry.”
His Excellency Declan Kelly also remarked in his speech that collaborations between both countries in the field of education was another pertinent area he look forward to.
“I think that this collaboration is good for both UCSI and WIT. I wish the venture a very great success and I hope that it all goes well.”
This is the third collaboration agreement formalised by UCSI University with other Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Prior to this, UCSI University has also signed agreements with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and University College Cork (UCC).
Ir Assoc Prof Dr Jimmy Mok Vee Hoong, the Dean of UCSI’s Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment; UCSI Group Legal Office Vice-President Abu Bakar Jalaluddin; and WIT’s International Development Officer, John Joe O’Farrell were also present at the ceremony.
WIT is a university-level institution – and one of the largest institute of technologies (IOT) – in the South-East of Ireland with over 10,000 students and 1,000 staff. It is an autonomous higher education institution operating within the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
The first to be awarded Institute of Technology status in 1998, WIT now confers its own awards at all levels from Higher Certificate to PhD, subject to standards set and monitored by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), established by the Government in June 2001, under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999.
Due to its important role in the development of the south east region of Ireland, WIT also has a strong focus on research and innovation. It has been extremely successful in attracting external research funding from national agencies, industries and European Union research programmes.
The flagship research centre in WIT is the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group, which undertakes world-class research and hosts a significant number of visiting professors, postdoctoral scholars and postgraduate students.
WIT also has formal academic exchange and research partnerships with over 40 universities worldwide – ranging from the old established Universities such as Oxford, Trinity College Dublin and University College London to newer technological universities such as Budapest University of Technology and Nanjing University of Science and Technology.
A culture of entrepreneurship and innovation is fostered at all levels in the organisation. This can be illustrated by one year enterprise platform programme offered to graduates by the School of Business. Through its School of Humanities it plays a very significant role in the Social and cultural life of its region.
