Photos Shamsaimi Ezil
SINTOK, 10 September 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) strengthen its international engagement this week by hosting a high-level delegation from Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU), Philippines. The two-day visit culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI), laying the foundation for future collaboration between the two institutions.
In his welcoming speech, UUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, emphasised that the LoI exchange went beyond symbolic gestures.
“Today is more than just a ceremonial gathering; it is a celebration of friendship and collaboration between two institutions united by the noble mission of education.
“As we exchange the Letter of Intent, we are sowing the seeds of cooperation – seeds that will grow into opportunities for joint research, academic exchange, student mobility, cultural enrichment, and other meaningful endeavours,” he said.
Prof. Ahmad Martadha also highlighted the shared values between the UUM and ZPPSU, noting the Philippine university’s strong commitment to advancing technical education and community engagement.
“This collaboration is far more than an agreement on paper. It is about building trust, sharing expertise, and shaping futures together.
“I am confident that the journey we embark upon today will open doors to countless opportunities – for our staff, for our students, and for the communities we serve,” he said.
During the discussion session chaired by Prof. Dr. Osman Ghazali, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, UUM-CAS, both parties agreed on a range of initiatives to kick-start the partnership. These include support for AUN-QA accreditation, student and staff mobility programmes beginning in 2026, collaborative research in technology management, waste management, and climate change, as well as the development of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) modules. Both institutions also agreed to organise joint seminars and explore faculty immersion in digitalisation and institutional ranking initiatives.
Reflecting on the visit, Prof. Josephine L. Sulalsula, ZPPSU Vice President for Administration and Finance, praised UUM’s scenic campus and warm hospitality.
She described the engagement as highly rewarding, “Today’s visit has been very fruitful, and we deeply appreciate UUM’s generosity in sharing best practices across its various departments. The insights gained here will greatly inspire and strengthen our initiatives at ZPPSU.”
The School of Computing (SOC) will serve as the focal point for the forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensuring the smooth implementation of the agreed initiatives.
The partnership underscores UUM’s ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations across ASEAN, advancing academic excellence, and contributing to regional development. – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norliza Katuk
