Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom to collaborate on research projects, training and development of human resources, collaborative academic programmes and world community projects by setting up state-of-the-art life sciences services centres.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Asma Haji Ismail signed the MoU on behalf of USM while the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Day represented the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. The Director of IPPT, Dr. Haji Ramli Saad and the Director of International Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Steve J. Yeaman acted as witnesses.
The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, established in 1834 is among the renowned medical institutions in the United Kingdom that have now focused their studies and research on ageing. The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne will set up a branch campus in Malaysia in 2011.
According to Dr. Haji Ramli Saad, the fields of study that have already been undertaken through this collaboration include stem cell research, primary immunodeficiency diseases, integrative herbal treatment clinical immunology and bio banks.
“The MoU will benefit USM greatly as it will help in enhancing the expertise of the lecturers, sending future lecturers who wish to further their studies to this university and will also enable them to gain valuable experience through research including research in the field of ageing. This will ensure cost-effective outcomes that will benefit the people of Malaysia and is also in line with USM’s current focus which is to help the bottom billion,” said Prof. Asma Haji Ismail at a press conference after the signing of the MoU.
