KIU and INTI University Malaysia Forge Academic Partnership

Karakoram International University (KIU) and INTI International University have entered into a strategic collaboration to promote student mobility, faculty exchange, joint research initiatives, and international academic engagements. The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony held at the INTI campus in Nilai, Malaysia. Vice Chancellor of KIU, Professor Dr Attaullah Shah, and INTI Pro Vice Chancellor of Academics, Professor Shamsul Nahar, signed the Letter of Understanding (LoU) on behalf of their respective institutions.

The partnership, which is expected to create significant academic and cultural opportunities for both institutions, was initiated during Professor Shah’s official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of INTI University’s senior leadership. The visit featured detailed discussions with the university leaders, highlighting the mutual benefits of international collaboration.

Professor Chin, Director of Internationalization at INTI, emphasized the numerous opportunities for academic exchange and global engagement between the two universities. Under the terms of the agreement, KIU will initially send 20 students for a two-week mobility program at INTI. During this period, INTI will provide hostel accommodation and local hospitality, while students will bear only the costs of airfare and visa fees. The mobility program will expose students to emerging technologies, cultural immersion, and educational tours within Malaysia.

In addition to student mobility, faculty members from KIU will be placed at INTI for short-term teaching assignments ranging from two weeks to one semester. An initial cohort of five KIU students will also participate in a semester-long exchange program at INTI, with credits earned at INTI being transferred back to KIU.

Moreover, the two institutions will jointly undertake research projects, leveraging matching grants and collaborating with Chinese universities in a consortium model to seek funding for innovative research. The Vice Chancellor of KIU expressed optimism about the research potential, particularly in fields such as disaster management, sustainable construction materials, and innovative engineering solutions.

The KIU delegation also included Professor M. Ismael, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), and Sheikh Abdul Wahab, Goodwill Ambassador of KIU in Malaysia, who recently completed his PhD at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). As part of the visit, Professor Shah held meetings with Associate Dean of Engineering and Technology, Dr Chun, and Senior Professor of Civil Engineering, Dr Zakaria, to explore further collaboration in engineering and technology.

The partnership marks an important step in strengthening academic ties between Pakistan and Malaysia. Professor Shah extended an invitation to the leadership of INTI University to visit KIU and explore further collaborative avenues, reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to fostering academic excellence and global outreach.

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