Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has proudly elevated Malaysia’s academic diplomacy through the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Almetyevsk State Technological University (ASTU), one of Russia’s most advanced institutions in petroleum engineering and energy technologies.

The MoU was signed by UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, and Professor Dyakonov Alexander Anatolyevich, Rector of ASTU, in a symbolic ceremony held at ASTU’s campus in Almetyevsk, Republic of Tatarstan.

The collaboration signals a new era of research, innovation, and technical training between Malaysia and Russia.

This historic engagement comes in direct alignment with Malaysia’s recent high-level presence in Kazan, led by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, who both participated in the XVI Kazan International Economic Forum: Russia–Islamic World earlier this month.

Zambry’s role as an invited panelist at the Kazan Education Forum further affirms Malaysia’s growing voice in the global academic and TVET discourse.

Kasim said the UMS-ASTU MoU is a concrete follow-up to that engagement, reflecting the Minister’s foresight in positioning Malaysia as a serious player in international higher education partnerships, especially in critical fields such as energy, sustainability, and advanced petroleum technologies.

“We are deeply honored to translate the strategic intent of our national leadership into meaningful academic collaboration.

“This partnership is not just about MoUs on paper. It is about unlocking mutual potential, driving innovation, and preparing our future engineers and researchers for global impact,” he said.

Kasim said, the MoU sets a clear roadmap for joint research initiatives, technical training programs, staff and student mobility, development of TVET models for the oil and gas sector, and academic-industrial collaborations through special workshops and conferences.

“This partnership underscores Malaysia’s commitment to global excellence in education, led by the Ministry of Higher Education’s transformative agenda.

“UMS’s achievement in Russia is not only a win for the university but a proud moment for the nation, reflecting how far Malaysian institutions can go when empowered by visionary leadership,” he said.

The UMS delegation, hosted warmly in Kazan and Almetyevsk by ASTU’s International Affairs Office led by Camilla Igonina, was given a full tour of ASTU’s world-class facilities, including VR-integrated drilling simulators, hydraulic systems, core sample analysis labs, and a uniquely designed interconnected practical training campus.

The visit was guided by Associate Professor Vasilenko Yury Valeryevich, ASTU’s First Vice-Rector.

Representing UMS were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser; Head of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Mohd Kamel Wan Ibrahim; Head of Oil and Gas Engineering, Dr. Norfazliana Abdullah and Director of the Chancellory Office, Hasmi Hashim.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) melalui Fakulti Sains Makanan dan Pemakanan (FSMP) terus memperkukuh jaringan kerjasama akademik serantau dengan Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Indonesia, menerusi pelbagai inisiatif strategik yang melibatkan penyelidikan, mobiliti dan pembangunan akademik dua hala.

Terbaharu, kerjasama antara kedua-dua universiti menyaksikan pelaksanaan program mobiliti inbound selama tiga minggu bermula 23 April hingga 17 Mei 2025 yang lalu, melibatkan seramai lapan pelajar dari Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan (FPIK), UB.

Sepanjang berada di FSMP, para pelajar menjalankan penyelidikan berkaitan penghasilan produk makanan berasaskan protein daripada ikan haruan (Channa striata) di mana ikan haruan adalah sejenis ikan tempatan yang berpotensi tinggi dari segi pemakanan dan terapeutik terutama dalam penyembuhan luka.

Menurut Dekan FSMP, Profesor Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, program tersebut menjadi platform penting dalam memperkukuh kolaborasi dua hala menerusi pendekatan interdisiplin antara bidang sains makanan dan perikanan.

”Bagi memperluas ruang kerjasama, delegasi rasmi FPIK, Universitas Brawijaya yang diketuai oleh Prof. Dr. Ir. Eddy Suprayitno, bersama Dr. Abdul Aziz Jaziri dan Heder Djamaludin, telah mengadakan lawatan ke FSMP.

”Lawatan tersebut turut merangkumi sesi perbincangan strategik serta perancangan kolaborasi masa depan.

”Antara perkara utama yang dibincangkan termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan geran penyelidikan matching fund, pelantikan Profesor Adjung dan Profesor Pelawat, serta pengukuhan mobiliti pelajar dan staf secara lebih terancang dan berimpak tinggi,” katanya.

Tambah Hasmadi, perbincangan antara kedua-dua universiti turut mencadangkan penganjuran bersama persidangan antarabangsa, yang akan menjadi platform ilmiah untuk menghimpunkan penyelidik, pemain industri dan pembuat dasar dari Malaysia dan Indonesia khususnya dalam bidang makanan, pemakanan, sumber marin dan inovasi teknologi makanan tropika.

In a continued effort to elevate its global standing, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has expanded its international academic engagement with a high-level courtesy visit to Yildiz Technical University (YTU) — a premier institution in Türkiye with a proud legacy dating back to 1911 and currently listed among the QS World University Rankings 2025 (851–900).

According to a statement by UMS, the visit which was led by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor reaffirmed both universities’ shared commitment to a deeper, more targeted partnership rooted in academic excellence, research innovation, and internationalization.

Hosted by Chief Advisor to the Rector of YTU, Professor Dr. Özer Çınar, the engagement was marked by a renewed sense of purpose: to translate shared aspirations into measurable outcomes.

“YTU, long respected for its strength in engineering and applied sciences, is a natural counterpart for UMS — particularly as the Sabah-based university positions itself as a leader in tropical research, sustainable technology, and regional innovation.

“The discussions between the two institutions revolved around deepening collaborative research in new materials, green technologies, and water and wastewater treatment, reflecting mutual strengths and regional needs,” according to the statement.

The statement mentioned that both sides agreed to expand academic cooperation beyond conventional frameworks.

“The extended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will now include lecturer exchange programmes, postgraduate student co-supervision, and mobility opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students — paving the way for more dynamic knowledge exchange and global classroom experiences.

“The collaboration also opens doors to joint grant applications and co-investment in high-impact research, allowing both institutions to harness funding from governments, industries, and multilateral bodies.

“This approach not only supports scientific advancement but also amplifies the societal value of academic research on a global scale,” the statement noted.

Beyond academic discussions, the UMS delegation participated in YTU’s International Culture Festival — a colorful, meaningful celebration of global diversity and cultural diplomacy.

The festival served as a reminder that partnerships between universities are not solely about science and scholarship, but also about building human bridges across borders and traditions.

The engagement with Yildiz Technical University underscores UMS’s broader ambition, which is to become a globally engaged tropical university that fosters not only academic excellence but also intercultural understanding, regional leadership, and globally relevant solutions.

Through strategic alliances like this, UMS continues to shape its future on the world stage — confidently, collaboratively, and purposefully.

Also representing UMS were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) and Advisor to the Oil and Gas Engineering Programme at the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly; UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser; Head of Mechanical Engineering Programme, Dr. Mohd Kamel Wan Ibrahim; Head of Oil and Gas Engineering Programme, Dr. Norfazliana Abdullah; and Director of the Chancellery Office, Hasmi Hashim.

Pusat Kajian Bencana (NDRC) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) memperkukuh kerjasama strategik bersama Universiti Pokhara, Nepal dalam bidang penyelidikan dan pengurusan bencana.

Menurut Pengarah NDRC UMS, Profesor Madya Dr. Carolyn Melissa Payus, kerjasama tersebut bukan hanya merangkumi pengurusan bencana alam, tetapi juga perubahan iklim, sumber air dan alam sekitar.

Katanya lawatan tersebut melibatkan sesi perbincangan dua hala dan mesyuarat kolaborasi yang memfokuskan kepada inisiatif penyelidikan bersama kedua-dua institusi.

“Lawatan kerja rasmi ini menjadi platform penting untuk berkongsi perkembangan penyelidikan semasa, meneroka peluang kerjasama baharu dan memperkukuh rangkaian akademik dalam menangani cabaran global terutamanya akibat daripada perubahan iklim, terhadap pengurusan sumber air, kelestarian alam sekitar dan daya tahan terhadap bencana alam.

“Antara kerjasama yang telah dibincangkan adalah dalam pelaksanaan Seminar Bersama yang akan melibatkan pakar-pakar dari kedua-dua institusi tersebut, di samping penyelidikan yang berkaitan pemetaan risiko bencana dan penilaian berterusan untuk tanah runtuh terutamanya melibatkan projek pembinaan jalan raya.

“Ini termasuklah potensi tinggi kerjasama dalam bidang kajian kebakaran hutan bagi menangani bencana pencemaran udara merentas sempada seperti jerebu, pembangunan sistem amaran awal bencana seperti banjir serta pertukaran kepakaran dan felo penyelidik dalam bidang yang diperlukan oleh kedua-dua institusi antaranya dalam permohonan geran antarabangsa,” katanya.

Pada lawatan tersebut, NDRC UMS turut terlibat dalam kerja lapangan di kawasan Machhapuchchhre, Daerah Kaski, Wilayah Gandaki, iaitu merupakan kawasan penempatan komuniti yang terdedah kepada risiko bencana tanah runtuh.

“Lawatan diketuai oleh Profesor Dr. Binaya Kumar Mishra dan dibantu oleh Profesor Madya Dr. Rajib Pokhrel, dari Sekolah Kejuruteraan Universiti Pokhara Nepal.

“Dalam kerja lapangan yang sama, kami turut berpeluang melihat sendiri operasi Seti Nadi Hydroelektrik yang dimajukan oleh Vision Lumbini Urja Company Ltd. yang pada awalnya tertangguh akibat daripada bencana banjir yang melanda kawasan hidroelektrik tersebut.

Tambah Carolyn, kerja lapangan juga dijalankan di kawasan sekitar Kathmandu yang terkesan akibat gempa bumi kuat bermagnitud 7.8 pada April 2015, antaranya Dharahara, Durbar Square serta Durbar Marg.

“Lawatan rasmi ini bukan sahaja memperkukuh hubungan dua hala antara UMS dan Universiti Pokhara, malah membuka ruang penyelidikan kolaboratif yang meluas dalam menangani isu-isu kemanusiaan dan pembangunan mampan.

“Kerjasama ini dijangka akan membawa kepada pelaksanaan projek penyelidikan bersama, pertukaran pelajar dan pakar penyelidik, di samping penganjuran bengkel rentas negara terutamanya dalam pengurusan pengurangan risiko bencana.

“Langkah ini sejajar dengan komitmen UMS dalam mendukung Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDG), khususnya inisiatif yang berkaitan dalam adaptasi perubahan iklim terhadap pembangunan komuniti yang lebih berdaya tahan bencana,” katanya.

Turut sama dalam lawatan tersebut, Pegawai Penyelidik NDRC UMS Eldawaty Madran.