SINTOK, 28 June 2026- Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR) further strengthen strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) held at the Sultan Sallehudin Chancellery Building, Universiti Utara Malaysia.
The MoU was signed by Universiti Utara Malaysia Vice-Chancellor, , Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha bin Mohamed, and the Chief Operating Officer of Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR), Mr. Azizul Hakim bin Abd. Karim. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the director of the Centre for Testing, Measurement and Appraisal (CeTMA), Assoc. Prof. Dr Zahayu binti Md. Yusof, together with members of the UUM management team, IDR representatives, CeTMA staff and research fellows.
The signing of MoU marked the beginning of closer collaboration between the two institutions in the areas of research, measurement and appraisal, data and analytics development, professional training, consultancy and community development. This strategic collaboration is also expected to create more opportunities for the implementation of high-impact projects that can contribute to state and national level development.
In his speech, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha bin Mohamed said the signing of the MoU was not merely a formal agreement between two institutions, but a platform to bring together expertise, resources and experience in producing evident-based research and solutions that would benefit society.
He said, “it is hoped that this collaboration will serve as a catalyst for the implementation of various strategic initiatives that will not only strengthen ties between UUM and IDR but also generate significant impact on state development through research, innovation and knowledge transfer.”
As part of the programme, the IDR delegation was taken on a tour of UUM Eco-Campus and UUM Management Museum to gain insights unto the university’s unique learning ecosystem, sustainable development initiatives and history of excellence.
Apart from that, a special discussion on potential joint research between CeTMA UUM and IDR was also held. The discussion focused on the development of high-impact research projects, data analysis, measurement appraisal, as well as evidence-based solutions to support policy development and community well-being.
The programme was further enriched by a brainstorming session involving the Economic and Financial Policy Institute (ECoFI) which provided a platform for the exchange of ideas, sharing of expertise and identification of potential areas for future collaboration.
As a symbol of the initial commitment towards the collaboration, the programme concluded with the presentation of a research proposal by CeTMA to Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR). The proposal is expected to serve as a catalyst for the implementation of strategic research projects that will benefit both institutions and contribute to state and national development.
The event concluded with a souvenir presentation and a photo session, symbolising the beginning of a collaborative relationship that is expected to continue growing through various programmes and research initiatives in the future.
