In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration and academic excellence, Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Manila and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 19, 2023.

Representing LPU Manila during this event were Ms. Jennifer D. Tucpi, Officer-in-Charge for Academic Affairs, and Ms. Judith B. Imperial, Director of Global Relations and Partnerships (GRP)/Human Resources. On the other side, TAR UMT was represented by Prof. Ir. Dr. Lee Sze
Wei, President, and Associate Professor Say Sok Kwan, Vice President for Administration and Internationalization.

TAR UMT, established in 1969 as TAR College, is one of the oldest Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia. Renowned for its comprehensive curriculum and academic excellence, the university offers a wide range of educational programs at various levels, including pre-university, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses.

The MOU signing ceremony was attended by other TAR UMT officials, including Ir. Han Seng Kong, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment; Macus Ooi Hwee Jin, Director of the Department of International Student Office; Yap Yong Wei, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities; Megat Ariff Shah Bin Megat Omar, Associate Dean of the School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment; and See Gim Ling, Senior Assistant Registrar from the Office of the President. Representing LPU were Concepcion L. Patulin, Coordinator of GRP, and Annabel V. Bautista, Executive Secretary of the Academic Affairs Office.

Prior to the MOU signing ceremony, a productive meeting took place between the delegations from both universities. They reaffirmed their commitment to partnership and cooperation in pursuit of academic excellence and innovation. The areas of cooperation outlined in the MOU include student and faculty/staff exchange programs, cultural immersion initiatives, and collaborative research projects. LPU was also extended invitations to participate in upcoming international events hosted by TAR UMT, such as the Asian Cuisine Expo and International Pitching Competition.

One of the most promising aspects of this partnership is the exploration of a joint Information Technology/Artificial Intelligence computing project. This project would be managed collaboratively by LPU’s College of Technology and TAR UMT’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, reflecting the shared commitment to cutting-edge education and research. As part of their visit, the LPU team had the opportunity to tour TAR UMT’s campus, exploring major facilities like the Cyber Centre, Centre of Excellence for Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and the Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre.

(TAR UMT Cyber Center)

The MOU signing between LPU Manila and TAR UMT Malaysia marks a significant milestone in international academic collaboration and is poised to bring about innovative advancements in education and research for both institutions.