UMS eager to strike partnerships with Dutch varsities

Kasim (second from right) presenting a memento to Nadzirah.

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is hoping to forge strategic relationships with institutions of higher learning in the Netherlands.

A delegation from the varsity led by UMS vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, recently held talks with the Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Datuk Nadzirah Osman, at the Malaysian embassy in The Hague over the matter.

The discussion centred on the strategic relationship between UMS and higher education institutions in the country in the fields of water resource management, smart agriculture, oil and gas, as well as commercialisation of products through synergistic cooperation between universities, governments, and industries.

According to Kasim, among the Dutch universities that have been identified as potential strategic partners with UMS include the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the Leiden University, and the Delft University of Technology.

These universities, he said, had their own strengths and advantages that can be a source of reference to UMS in their respective fields of expertise.

For instance, he said, the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education has expertise in water resources management, while the Leiden University specialises in smart agriculture research and biotechnology.

He added the Delft University of Technology has produced various commercial products as a result of the research by their students and lecturers.

"Previously, UMS has had a relationship with the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education as early as 2012, and this university is actively conducting joint research with Leiden University to produce a grouper fish vaccine for food security purposes," Kasim said in a statement on Monday (May 8).

"We also hope that a cooperation will be forged with the Delft University of Technology, considering UMS has a strategic plan to develop its own hub to help university students commercialise products resulting from research and innovation," he added.

During the discussions, Nadzirah also shared about the role of universities in the Netherlands that contribute towards the successful commercialisation of products through funds and facilities provided by the industry.

UMS deputy vice chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Dr Rosalam Sarbatly and the head of the chancellery of the Malaysian embassy to the Netherlands, Dr Mohd Norhisyam Mohd Yusof, were also involved in the discussions.