UniMAP’s Vision for Quality Education and Global Partnerships: A Royal Endorsement
• By Martha Nangombe
The acting king of Perlis, Malaysia, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, recently highlighted the significance of international collaborations in advancing education and research.
He made these remarks during a visit to the International University of Management (IUM), where he emphasized Universiti Malaysia Perlis’s (UniMAP) dedication to continuous education for both working professionals and students, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“For UniMAP, this invaluable initiative will be able to fulfill the University’s goal of providing continuous education to working professionals and students, in light of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on ‘Quality Education’ and SDG 17 on ‘Partnership for the Goals’,” Jamalullail said.
Jamalullail thanked David Namwandi, the founder and Council Chair of IUM, for creating a platform that fosters collaboration between Namibia and Malaysia.
“The fruitful discussion between UniMAP and IUM today allows both universities to work more closely towards a common goal: to pursue the internationalization of higher education.
“By working together, I hope that both UniMAP and IUM will be able to pursue state-of-the-art and high-impact research projects in areas that will benefit the industries and societies of our two countries,” he added.
David Namwandi reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his appreciation toJamalullail.
“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Majesty for the symbolic gesture of planting the DATE Palm Tree at our high-tech campus, a timeless emblem of permanent friendship, longevity, prosperity, and sustainable growth and development.
“This act embodies the enduring nature of our friendship, transcending generations and demonstrating our commitment to nurturing a sustainable future together,” Namwandi stated.
Namwandi also emphasized the importance of academic exchanges in tackling global challenges.
“This collaboration will foster academic exchange, stimulate innovation in research and development, and equip our students to confidently address global challenges with ease,” he added.
Malaysia has long been a trusted partner to African nations in terms of education empowerment, building mutual trust, and cooperation. The country’s leadership in agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications within Southeast Asia exemplifies its global competitiveness in these sectors. With the increasing interconnectedness of digital transformation, IUM is keen to provide internships for its students within Malaysia’s dynamic community. This opportunity will allow students to learn from industry leaders, gaining invaluable insights and experience in their respective fields.
Through these initiatives, Malaysia and Namibia are strengthening their educational ties and paving the way for a brighter, more collaborative future in global education and research.