Srinagar: To explore potential joint programmes and collaborative research initiatives, aimed to enhance communication and cooperation, a group of 21 engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) visited the University of Kashmir (KU) on Wednesday here.
The students engaged in an interaction session at the Institute of Technology, Zakura Campus. The session focused on academic collaborations, research opportunities and student exchange programmes. On the occasion, Dean, Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Pirzada Shariefuddin, highlighted the importance of building global connections, saying: “Academic partnerships with international institutions are pivotal in broadening the horizons of both our students and faculty. We are committed to encouraging opportunities that benefit not just the universities, but society as a whole.”
Dean Research, KU, Prof M Sultan Bhat, emphasised the potential for collaborative research, and said: “This visit is a precursor to meaningful research collaborations between the University of Kashmir and UMPSA. We envision joint projects that will harness the expertise of both institutions, particularly in emerging fields of science and engineering.”
Director, Institute of Technology, Prof Mohammad Tariq Banday, underscored the significance of such programmes, stating: “We are excited to witness these interactions between our students and those from UMPSA. Such exchanges bring a fresh perspective and serve as a foundation for lasting partnerships, particularly in rapidly advancing fields like the Internet of Things.”
Following the discussions, the Malaysian students participated in a practical activity with B Tech students from the Civil Engineering Department, utilising advanced surveying equipment for layout marking of a proposed structure at the campus.
They later attended a 5-hour competency course on the Internet of Things (IoT), led by Prof Banday, covering essential topics such as smart applications, architecture, challenges and hands-on demonstrations.
A highlight of the visit was a meeting with KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan, who reaffirmed the university’s commitment to exploring the collaborative opportunities proposed by UMPSA.
“Our university places great value on international academic engagement. This visit reflects our shared vision of creating avenues for collaborative learning and research. We are delighted to welcome our Malaysian colleagues and look forward to future partnerships,” she noted.
On their final day, the students toured various departments of KU, deepening their understanding of its academic environment.
The visit marks a significant step towards KU’s commitment to encouraging international collaboration in engineering education and research.
