UUM Secures Erasmus+ Student Exchange with West University of Timisoara in MoU renewal at EAIE 2024
Photos by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar
FRANCE: On 18 September 2024, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and the West University of Timisoara (WUT), Romania, renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2024 Conference and Exhibition, held from 17 to 20 September in Toulouse, France. This renewal strengthens the ongoing academic collaboration, supported through Erasmus+ funding, which includes student and staff exchanges, joint research projects, and cultural programmes.
West University of Timisoara has been a long-standing partner of UUM since 2017, with the initial MoU established by the School of Economics, Finance, and Banking (SEFB). Since then, SEFB has sent three students and four lecturers to WUT, reflecting the close academic engagement between the two institutions.
As part of the renewed collaboration, UUM has been granted one student exchange seat to WUT under Erasmus+ KA171 funding, scheduled for Spring 2025. This provides a valuable opportunity for a UUM student to gain a fully funded global experience, enhancing their academic and cultural exposure. UUM is grateful for this opportunity, viewing it as a reflection of the strong relationship between the two universities.
Representing UUM at the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin Mohd Sani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation. Representing WUT was Univ. Dr. Valy Geta CEIA, Vice Rector, responsible for internationalization strategy, university networks, and relations with European institutions. Their presence underscored the commitment to deepening the collaboration, particularly in expanding mobility programmes and fostering research ties.
In January 2024, UUM hosted two international officers from WUT for Erasmus+ Staff Training. During their visit, a seminar was held where UUM and WUT international officers exchanged best practices in managing mobility and partnership activities, further enhancing the collaborative framework between the two universities.
Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin remarked: “The renewal of this MoU highlights the fruitful academic and cultural exchanges between UUM and WUT. We are grateful for the Erasmus+ KA171 funding, which enables our students to experience global learning environments, and we are committed to further strengthening this partnership.”
The MoU renewal aligns with UUM’s strategic focus on internationalization, and the EAIE 2024 Conference in Toulouse provided the ideal platform to reaffirm this collaboration. – Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk
