By Noor Eszereen Juferi
SERDANG, 4 December – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has strengthened its internationalisation agenda with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with three leading African higher education institutions: University of Nairobi, Technical University of Kenya and Mogadishu University.
The LOI signing took place in conjunction with the official visit of Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Kenya from 18 to 24 November, marking a new chapter in academic relations between Malaysia and Africa.
UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Ir. Dr. Abd. Rahim Abu Talib, said the LOI reflects the university’s commitment to exploring cross-continental collaborations, particularly in expanding access to quality education and advancing global research for mutual benefit.
“This strategic collaboration is expected to strengthen UPM’s global academic network through the implementation of joint research programmes, student and staff mobility, exchange of expertise, and capacity-building initiatives in key areas such as agriculture, engineering, information technology, social sciences and impact-driven innovation,” he said.
He added that academic ties with universities in Kenya and Somalia not only reinforce UPM’s standing as a leading institution in the region, but also support Malaysia’s aspiration to enhance its higher education presence and influence on the global stage.
“UPM is now on a strong footing to play a leading role in Malaysia–Africa academic cooperation, in line with the university’s vision to be a world-class leader in education, research and innovation,” he said.
