By Syarifah Noormaisarah Tuan Besar, International Centre

In a move to strengthen bilateral ties in higher education and research, particularly in the fields of marine science and maritime technology, UMT recently hosted a visit from Guandong Ocean University (GDOU) of China.

The four-member delegation was led by Prof. Yang Zhou, General Secretary of GDOU, and included Prof. Chen Jinjun (Director of the International Affairs Office), Prof. Zheng Dianfeng (Secretary of the College of Coastal Agriculture), and Prof. Wang Xuefeng (Deputy Director of the Museum of Aquatic Organisms).

During the official meeting, UMT and GDOU reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to expanding the strategic partnership that has been established since 2020. Sharing a mutual niche in marine studies, GDOU sees great potential in deepening academic and research collaborations with UMT.

“We are excited to strengthen our partnership with UMT,” Prof. Yang Zhou said. “This collaboration will bring great opportunities for both our institutions.”

Several areas of future cooperation were identified, including:

• The implementation of a dual degree programme with Marine Technology and Shipbuilding Institute
• Postgraduate studies (Master’s and PhD) for GDOU staff at UMT
• Inbound and outbound mobility programmes for students and staff
• Implementation of an Integrated PhD (i-PhD) in maritime fields
• Collaboration in Veterinary Science, Food Technology, and Animal Production
• Organisation of a Summer School focusing on culture and heritage
• Visiting Professor in Renewable Energy, Electronics and Instrumentation, Naval Architecture, and Maritime Technology
• Research and academic collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Opportunities for Master’s studies in Coastal Zone Management
• Student Development Programme across disciplines
• Joint research initiatives in Marine Biotechnology involving aquatic organisms

UMT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim described the GDOU’s visit as a strong endorsement of UMT’s expertise in marine disciplines and expressed optimism that this collaboration will lead to impactful regional advancements in maritime education and research.

“UMT warmly welcomes high-impact international collaborations such as this, which support our mission to be a global leader in marine and maritime knowledge,” said Prof. Zamri said during the welcoming session.

This partnership is expected to significantly enhance academic development, student mobility, and collaborative research, while furthering UMT’s internationalization agenda.