Signs MoU with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

Bandar Seri Begawan - Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) has made another giant stride towards 'internationalisation' by forging ties with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia.

The university college yesterday reached another new milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian university.

The MoU with UniSZA will enable KUPU SB to establish cooperation in various areas, which according to KUPU SB include among others cooperation in teaching and learning, exchange of researchers, staff, students, academic materials and pedagogy as well as in the field of joint research and in technical and training collaboration.

The signing took place yesterday at the Rizqun International Hotel in the presence of Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs.

The MoU was signed by Dr Hajah Masnon Hj Ibrahim, Raes of KUPU SB and Professor Dr Yahaya bin Ibrahim, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.

Dr Hajah Masnon Hj Ibrahim said the signing was another effort to further elevate KUPU SB's name and its role in the field of religious teaching services and in forging relations in various fields among tertiary education institutions in the country.

"The university college in its commitment to implement its strategic plan 2010-2014, which is focussed on strengthening relationship with community and forging cooperation in the regional and international stage, today has taken another step forward by forging cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia."

"... KUPU SB is thankful that since its establishment in 2007, it has successfully implemented several working relations and signed several MoUs with other universities in the region namely Malaysia and Indonesia. This proves that KUPU SB is pushing forward towards international status in the region.

"The signing of MoU between KUPU SB and UniSZA shows collaborative ties that have resulted in solidarity and friendship for progress and development in the exploration of knowledge, research and publication," Dr Hjh Masnon said.

Dr Hjh Masnon said this signing of MoU between the two tertiary education institutions was a unique occasion because both possess similar backgrounds in their establishment and naming of the respective university.

"KUPU SB and UniSZA both started as college-level institutions. KUPU SB was established in 1972 and upgraded as Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan in 2007. When it was first established, the university college offered religious teacher certificates and today, it offers diploma, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and also doctorate programmes," Dr Hjh Masnon said.

"Meanwhile, UniSZA began with the establishment of Sultan Zainal Abidin Religious College offering courses in diploma and advance diploma levels in 1980 until it was upgraded to a university status in 2005," she said.

"Other than that, both institutions also maintain the name derived from the rulers of the respective countries. Is this a coincidence? The name of university college becomes an identity for the college that must be maintained in the future," Dr Hjh Masnon said.

In her speech, Dr Hjh Masnon also said that KUPU SB as a tertiary education institution wants to reach a higher pedestal to be among the well-known education institutions in the region and internationally. She said KUPU SB places high hopes on learning best practices from any higher education institution that already has a good name and reputation in various aspects and fields.

Dr Hjh Masnon said KUPU SB will continue to dedicate itself as the only institution that offers courses related to religious teaching, not just in the region but also in the world, and improving its quality and role.

"Continuous and dedicated efforts to elevate the field of religious teaching and Islamic education must be given as a main priority looking at the fact that today's global challenges mean that higher learning institutions need to strengthen and defend the sanctity of our religion in line with the moderate view under the Mazhab Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah," she added.