Universiti Malaya And Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “Leti” Russia Signed Loi To Boost Academic Collaboration

A Letter of Intent (LOI) has been signed between Universiti Malaya (UM) through its Photonics Research Centre, and Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” Russia which marked a milestone toward long term cooperation for educational endeavours between the two institutions.
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The LOI signing ceremony took place at UM on 10 November 2023, during a visit by the delegation from the Russian Federation. The LOI specifically aims to establish a joint co-operation in the areas of education and training to promote the Collaborative Master’s Degree Programme on Photonics and Quantum Electronics.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation,
H.E. Valery Falkov.

The LOI was signed by UM’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman and the Rector of Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, Professor Viktor Sheludko, in the presence of H.E. Valery Falkov, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Malaysia, Naiyl Latypov, as well as 20 representatives consisting of Rectors, Vice- Rectors, Director-general, Directors, Heads of Division, Deputy Heads, and Professors from several Russian departments and institutions.

Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education headed by the Divisional Secretary, International Relations Division, Ministry of Higher Education, Datin Noorazah Omar.

The UM delegation present at the signing ceremony included Associate Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement), Prof Dr Yvonne Lim Ai Lian; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof Ir Dr Kaharudin; Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies, Prof Dr Abrizah Abdullah; Professor Dr Puteri Syafinaz Akmar, Coordinator, Research Project Monitoring Section, Institute of Research Management and Services (IPPP); Dr Sheena Kaur, Head of Strategic Global Alliances Division, International Relations Centre.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UM, Dato’ Seri Prof. Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan said that “Today marks a significant milestone in our collaborative efforts to promote academic excellence.” He further reaffirmed that “With this LOI, we are laying the foundation for a strategic alliance that would unlock opportunities for both institutions involved by combining our unique strengths, resources, and expertise to develop cutting-edge research, and provide transformative learning experiences for our

students.” He concluded by stating that “As we sign this LOI today, let us remember that this is not the end, but merely the beginning.”

The agreement expands on previous collaborations between UM and Russian institutions to further explore academic cooperation.

The partnership between UM and several Russian institutions has been both meaningful in the most recent years with MOUs and MOAs signed, student mobility, research collaborations as well as its long- standing history of teaching of Russian as an elective course.

The LOI highlights the commitment of both institutions to work together to establish the Collaborative Master’s Degree on Photonics and Quantum Electronics, which would involve the culmination of extensive discussions and deliberations towards the joint programme.

-DG