USM, ITB SIGN MoA TO EXPAND COOPERATION IN ENGINEERING AND MINERAL RESOURCES

NIBONG TEBAL, 30 September 2026 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, today strengthened their mutual academic ties through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

The agreement was signed between the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering (PPKBSM), USM, and the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering (FTTM), ITB, focusing particularly on engineering, mining, mineral resources, metallurgy and materials.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus’s Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, representing the USM Vice-Chancellor, said the collaboration with ITB had previously involved student exchanges, visiting lecturers and the appointment of external examiners, providing a strong foundation for further expanding the academic network between the two institutions.

She said the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, USM, had its own strengths through the offering of a Mineral Resources Engineering programme, the only undergraduate programme of its kind in Malaysia, while also being a pioneer in Materials Engineering and Polymer Engineering.

“The MoA is expected to be fully utilised through joint research, applications for international grants and international exposure programmes such as summer camps, which can help build a more open and dynamic academic ecosystem,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Dean of FTTM, ITB, Professor Dr. Eng. Ir. Syafrizal, said the academic fields offered by FTTM and PPKBSM were closely aligned and played an important role in addressing challenges in the industrial and energy sectors in Indonesia and Malaysia.

He said the MoA was not merely an administrative document but served as a platform for implementing activities that would benefit both institutions, including student and academic staff mobility to build professional networks and cross-cultural understanding, as well as facilitate knowledge sharing, technological innovation and the transfer of expertise.

Dean of PPKBSM, Professor Ts. Dr. Zulfitri Mohamad Arif, said the collaboration would also provide opportunities for both institutions to expand cooperation in teaching and learning, joint research, scientific publications, seminars and joint supervision of postgraduate students.

He said the development of the mineral resources industry today required a more responsible approach, with greater emphasis on environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, safety and the adoption of new technologies.

“Most importantly, the commitment must be translated into tangible activities and collaborations, particularly in research, talent development and expertise sharing, to contribute to more sustainable mineral resource development in the region,” he said.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman