KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International School for Social and Business Studies (ISSBS) in Slovenia.
The MoU, signed by UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor and ISSBS dean Prof Dr Kristijan Breznik, aims to establish frameworks for open research, data management, and knowledge science.
Key initiatives include securing joint grants, developing postgraduate mentorships, and hosting student exchange programmes.
Kasim described the agreement, formalised during the Erasmus EU-funded Open Science Workshop, as a significant milestone in UMS’ commitment to open science and global research collaboration.
“Our collaboration with ISSBS underscores UMS’s dedication to fostering global partnerships and innovation.
“By prioritising open science, we aim to deliver impactful advancements that benefit the global academic community,” he said.
Breznik echoed this enthusiasm, adding: “ISSBS is excited to partner with UMS to address challenges in open science. Together, we can create initiatives that empower researchers and students worldwide.”
Workshops and training sessions will also be conducted as part of efforts to enhance capacity building in open science.
The MoU aligns with UMS’ Key Results Area (KRA) 1 and 3, which focus on internationalisation and research excellence.
It also highlights the university’s strategic emphasis on collaborative research, co-publishing academic works, and fostering a global knowledge-sharing ecosystem.
The global scope of the partnership was further underscored by the presence of representatives from Europe, including the Netherlands and Finland, as well as India, Malaysia, and Africa.
Also present at the signing were UMS deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation Prof Dr Rosalam Sarbatly, who leads the Erasmus EU Open Science initiative at UMS, and UMS registrar Luqman Ridha.
By focusing on open science, the collaboration positions UMS as a leader in advancing sustainable research practices and reinforces its reputation as a hub for impactful innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.
