KUCHING – Universiti Malaya (UM) and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster an educational agenda for law in Sarawak.
The signing was made in conjunction with a Memorandum of Understanding between Universiti Malaya and the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development whereby the Sarawak Government signify their commitment to strengthen the quality of legal training and education in Sarawak.
Professor Dr Yatimah Alias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) of Universiti Malaya, emphasised the importance of this cooperation, stating, “These collaborations are very much a fabric of UM’s identity – a Malaysian university for all Malaysians.”
Professor Dr Jason Chuah, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Universiti Malaya, emphasised, “It is crucial for Malaysian legal educators to pay more attention to the legal differences in Sarawak. Our Faculty of Law’s curriculum is being revised to reflect the diversity of laws throughout Malaysia,” he added.
The MoU established between UM and Swinburne Sarawak outlines a framework for both institutions to explore specific areas of cooperation and facilitation aimed at improving the delivery of legal education in Sarawak. This collaboration is expected to bring significant advancements in legal education, benefitting students, educators and the legal community in Sarawak.
Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho (second left) and Professor Dr Yatimah Alias (third right) hold up the signed MoU between Swinburne Sarawak and UM.
Sarawak’s Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn welcomed the collaboration between the government and UM, stating that through the establishment of the partnership, the government looks forward to the nurturing of quality law graduates who would not only be able to practise in Sarawak both as private and government practitioners, but also contribute their expertise to the advancement of Sarawak.
Professor Lau Hieng Ho, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer from Swinburne Sarawak, expressed his delight, saying, “Swinburne Sarawak, a highly placed Australian university with a distinctive Sarawakian character, is delighted to work with UM to provide a conducive environment to close the legal skills gap in Sarawak.
Through the partnership with UM, students who complete Swinburne Sarawak’s Business Diploma or Foundation programme who achieve the requisite grades can transition into the Bachelor of Laws program through UM’s Open Channel Scheme, also known as the Saluran Terbuka UM (SATU) channel.
Professor Lau added, “This collaboration marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership with a prestigious public university, and we look forward to future close collaborations in academic and research areas, aligned with Sarawak’s and Malaysia’s development priorities.”
Professor Dr Yatimah Alias (third left) and Tuan Haji Adana bin Haji Jed (fifth left) hold up the signed MoU between UM and the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak.