DUBAI, 27 October 2023 I Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) is spreading its wing to the Middle East by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI) with a leading university in the UAE, Skyline University College (SUC), City University of Sharjah in Dubai, for academic and research collaboration at the international level.
The LoI was signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) of UMK, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad, and the Vice-Chancellor of SUC, Prof. Mohammad In' Airat, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), today.
Also present were the Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Wellness (FHPK), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslizawati Che Aziz, the Consul General of Malaysia in Dubai, Mohd Fadly Amri Aliaman, and the Director of Education Malaysia Dubai, Mr. Ahmaf Razaly Abdul Rahim.
According to Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nik Maheran, in the near future, UMK and SUC will continue their collaboration agenda to share expertise in various academic and research fields.
She hopes that with this official visit, UMK can explore more collaboration opportunities with several higher education institutions and potential industries for the future.
"SUC is one of the oldest universities in Dubai, which has also collaborated with seven universities in Malaysia.
"Through discussions held in three main elements, namely academics, research, and student and staff mobility programmes.
"This collaboration is also in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Higher Education in providing university graduates with a premium salary," he said.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslizawati stated that the UMK delegation also had the opportunity to meet and discuss with the General Consulate of Malaysia in Dubai, Education Malaysia Dubai, the Office of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, and several industrial partners in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
She mentioned that this official visit also aimed to explore potential opportunities for FHPK students, especially to participate in the International Apprenticeship Programme 2024 for a duration of four to twelve months in Dubai.
"Some potential hotels have been identified to accommodate students for this programme, including Sheraton Grand Hotel and Double Tree Hilton Dubai.
"God willing, with this collaboration, it will open up more opportunities and space for staff and students to participate in such programmes," she said.
