Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - 04 January 2021:  Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has signed a Collaboration Agreement with one of Asia's most prestigious universities, the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang (USM), a public institution of higher learning and a pioneering, transdisciplinary research-intensive university. 

 

The Collaboration Agreement focuses on both universities' mutual goals, including promoting and establishing partnerships to develop, support, and enhance research activities, educational programs, and training in media and communication.

 

Professor Waqar Ahmad, Chancellor of the Abu Dhabi University, and Professor Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan, Vice-Chancellor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia, signed the Collaboration Agreement in the presence of Dr. Sreethi Nair, Dean of ADU's College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Nurzali Ismail, Dean of the School of Communication at USM. USM will work with ADU on exchange programs, program development, research, and other  educational programs of common interest.

 

USM is Malaysia's premier research university and one of the top public universities in Malaysia. It is rated 142 in the QS Global World University Rankings 2021. The 50-year-old School of Communication is one of the leading schools for media and communication in Asia.

 

Professor Waqar Ahmad echoed these accolades at ADU, who also added, 'ADU is enthusiastic about strengthening its relations with all international academic and research institutions to support innovation. Our priority is to stay relevant, establish a change in society, and better the UAE's economy. This collaboration will also support ADU's 2022 vision, in line with the UAE Government's National Agenda i.e. to foster leadership, design, and ambition among its graduates, ensuring that they become agile and influential leaders of the future.' 

 

Professor Waqar continued, 'We are ecstatic to team up with a global brand like USM. Their experience will enable ADU and USM students to learn from professionals in the field of arts and sciences and offer them an eye-opening experience that will be a stepping stone into their future career. Such relationships let academic institutions come together to exchange information that will empower the youth of today and nurture their sense of curiosity and develop their intellectual potential.'  

 

Professor Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan, Vice-Chancellor at USM, commented, 'We are proud to be partnering with one of the UAE's top academic institutions to bring academic and research expertise to students across the country and enhance their learning journey. Partnering with ADU, a world-class institution that considers diversity to be among its key strengths, is aligned with our efforts to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion among our students and faculty from a myriad of nationalities. We are optimistic that this collaboration will be fruitful in the domains of research and professional development.' 

 

The research partnership is one of the key areas where both institutions will be collaborating, researching topics of mutual interest that will contribute to the development of local and global knowledge connected to media and communication. Both institutions are looking to expand their research subjects into diverse fields, including media literacy, environmental communication, pedagogy, and corporate communication.

 

ADU and USM will work together on student exchange programs,  fostering joint studies, research, and training activities. These activities will provide an opportunity for students to experience the vibrant cultural diversity of both countries. 

 

Within the memorandum’s framework, this agreement will pave the way for cooperation in developing a master's program for ADU in the most sought-after fields of communication such as integrated marketing communication, digital media production, and multimedia.