By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Shaikh Ayaz University, Shikarpur, and SEGi University, Malaysia, have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in higher education, research and international academic exchange.
The agreement was formalised through a virtual signing ceremony on August 10, with Vice Chancellor of Shaikh Ayaz University Prof Dr Naveed Ahmed Shaikh and SEGi University Vice Chancellor Datin Prof Dr Mariani Binti Md Nor signing on behalf of their respective institutions.
Senior officials and faculty members from both universities attended the ceremony, which included addresses by the two vice chancellors, the formal signing of the MoU, an open discussion and a group photograph.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Dr Naveed Ahmed Shaikh said the agreement marked an important milestone for Shaikh Ayaz University and would create opportunities for students and faculty to participate in international academic and research activities, particularly in education, business and English studies.
Datin Prof Dr Mariani Binti Md Nor said SEGi University was pleased to establish the partnership, describing it as an opportunity to promote global learning environments and cross-cultural academic exchange.
The partnership covers cooperation in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including education, business administration, computer science and information technology, commerce, mathematics and English language and literature.
Under the agreement, students will have opportunities to take part in short-term academic visits, summer and vacation programmes and semester-based exchanges. Faculty members will also be able to participate in teaching, research and joint projects.
The two universities will further collaborate on research projects, joint publications, postgraduate supervision, thesis examinations and academic editorial activities. They also plan to jointly organise seminars, conferences, symposia, guest lectures and workshops.
The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Dr Riaz Ahmed Soomro, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Shaikh Ayaz University. Focal persons Dr Nadir Hussain Bhayo and Dr Fanny Tian welcomed participants and outlined the programme.
Dr Bhayo, Head of the Teacher Education Department and focal person at Shaikh Ayaz University, delivered the closing remarks and thanked participants for their contribution to the partnership.
The MoU is initially valid for five years and is intended to provide a framework for sustained academic collaboration and international cooperation between the two universities.
