A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia and LSPR Communication and Business Institute (LSPR), Indonesia.
The MoU was initiated by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), UiTM and was signed at an event hosted by LSPR. The ceremony took place virtually on Friday 23 July 2021 at 2:00 pm in Jakarta, 3:00 pm, Malaysian time via Zoom.
The agreement will allow both institutions to focus on academic research collaboration, organise joint activities and programs, exchange academic information, and offer student and staff exchange programs. The MoU is also a way forward for UiTM and LSPR to share each other’s expertise in the field of communication and media studies.
The signatories to the MoU were the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah, and LSPR’s Rector, Dr Andre Ikhsano. Witnessing the virtual ceremony were UiTM’s Director of UiTM Global, Dr Hajah Zainab Hj Mohd Noor, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, and Dean of Faculty Communication, Mikhael Yulius Cobis. Also present at the event were distinguished guests from UiTM and LSPR.
In her keynote address, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, expressed, “With the MoU, we hope to be able to develop more especially through the agreement with Universiti Teknologi MARA. This collaboration is very important for us, especially to realise the spirit of education in the world. We are committed to working better and more closely towards common goals that pursuit the comprehensive education and the ability of the international opportunities and the research programs will ensure graduates will become successful in their respective careers.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah said on the partnership, “Having LSPR onboard for today’s MoU is a monumental effort that could witness a stronger collaborative initiative between these two entities moving forward.
“We acknowledge LSPR Communication and Business Institute, Jakarta as the leading communication school in Indonesia with a reputation as an outstanding academic institution in communication.”
“Today will mark yet another milestone for us all, where we will be reviving this strategic relationship which avows that of academic, curricular as well as strengthening network linkages between us. Today’s signing carves another chapter on UiTM’s globalisation efforts in establishing relations with international partners. The purpose of this MoU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing, strategic, long-term relationship between both institutions respectively,” she added.
Furthermore, this agreement is in line with UiTM’s 2025 Strategic Plan. It encourages internationalisation via staff and student mobility programmes such as summer programmes and sabbaticals; collaborative network involving academic programmes, research, and consultancy activities through an increase in international academic staff.