UniMAP KEEN TO FORGE ACADEMIC TIES WITH INDIAN UNIVERSITIES

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) plans to
forge strategic academic ties with Indian institutions to upscale its programmes
and explore highly specialised fields of study.

The fast expanding university on the northern Malaysian state of Perlis is
gearing to engage Indian scholars and scientists to develop academic programmes
tailored to meet domestic industry needs.

"India has strong fundamentals and we are inviting Indian brains to teach in
our university.

"We are ready to collaborate with best Indian universities and welcome
student exchange programmes, joint ventures, research and development and
recruitment of Indian lecturers," visiting UniMAP vice-chancellor Dr Kamarudin
Hussin told Bernama in Delhi.

Kamarudin is part of the Perlis delegation to India headed by Crown Prince
of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and accompanied by his consort
Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah.

The high-profile Perlis delegation is on a visit to north India from Nov
20-24.

On UniMAP's priority list is a range of fields for potential tie ups -- from
biotechnology to computer science to space technology -- where Indian
institutions have craved a world standard.

A number of Indian academics are currently lecturing in UniMAP, which now is
trying to position itself as a premier engineering university in Malaysia.

"Our university would like to invite Indian students to do their PhDs
(doctoral degrees) in UniMAP in any technical fields; we welcome at least 20 to
30 students in 2011," said Kamaruddin.
-- BERNAMA