FOSTERING ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS: UNIVERSITAS BRAWIJAYA LECTURERS EMBARK ON A KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE JOURNEY AT USM

USM PENANG, 16 December 2023 - A delegation of five esteemed lecturers from the Information Technology study programme, Faculty of Vocational Studies at Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, had recently embarked on a collaborative journey to the National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

This visit, made on 1 November 2023, marked a significant milestone in fostering international academic partnerships and promoting knowledge exchange among educators between both universities.

According to NAv6 senior lecturer, Ts. Dr. Shankar Karuppayah, who was involved in this programme, the primary objective of the visit was to facilitate a robust exchange of knowledge between lecturers from both USM and Universitas Brawijaya.

"Recognising the value of having diverse perspectives, the programme aimed to enrich the understanding of various research topics, methodologies, and innovative approaches through the discussions held between both sides.

"The visit also focused on inspiring and nurturing research collaborations between the lecturers," said Shankar, who added that, "by leveraging their distinct skills and perspectives, it will help to catalyze the design of comprehensive and impactful research projects."

Both parties agreed that the synergy created through this collaborative effort promises to contribute significantly to the advancement of research in Information Technology.

"Through active participation in knowledge exchange and collaborative teamwork," Shankar said, "the lecturers seized the opportunity to enhance their expertise in various aspects of research."

"This immersive experience not only broadened their skill sets but also equipped them with the tools needed to adopt new methodologies and approaches.

"I believe that the skills developed during this visit will undoubtedly empower the lecturers to elevate the quality of education and research at Universitas Brawijaya," added Shankar.

By fostering knowledge exchange, stimulating research collaboration, and prioritizing skills development, the visit laid the foundation for a lasting partnership between these two esteemed institutions.

This collaborative effort between USM and Universitas Brawijaya exemplifies yet another example of the power of international academic cooperation in advancing research and education for the benefit of students, faculty, and the broader academic community.

Text & Photo: Ts. Dr. Shankar Karuppayah (NAv6)/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe