1 September 2026 | Putrajaya

Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) continues to strengthen its international academic relations through the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE), held in conjunction with the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Fulbright Programme at Le Méridien Putrajaya.

UMPSA was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, YBhg. Prof. Ts. Dr. Yatimah binti Alias, who was accompanied by the Director of the Centre for Global Engagement, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Herma Dina binti Setiabudi. The event was organised by Fulbright Malaysia (MACEE) in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States in Kuala Lumpur.

The 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Fulbright Programme marks eight decades of efforts to strengthen educational exchange and mutual understanding between nations through the engagement of students, academics, researchers and professionals.

As the organisation responsible for administering the Fulbright Programme in Malaysia, MACEE also provides a wide range of academic exchange opportunities between Malaysia and the United States.

Also in attendance were The Honourable Cate Dillon, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State, and YBhg. Datuk Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Hassim, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, together with members of the leadership and representatives of higher education institutions.

According to Prof. Ts. Dr Yatimah, the renewal of the MoU holds strategic value in supporting the aspirations of the UMPSA30 Strategic Plan, particularly its internationalisation agenda and efforts to strengthen the university’s engagement within the global higher education ecosystem.

At the same time, she said that the collaboration supports the aspirations of national education by expanding access to international experience and expertise.

“Through this renewed partnership, UMPSA will have the opportunity to leverage various Fulbright initiatives encompassing academic exchange, research opportunities, professional development and exposure to higher education institutions in the United States,” she said.

In addition, the collaboration will create greater opportunities for UMPSA students and academics to gain experience and develop academic networks at the international level.

Furthermore, the renewed collaboration provides UMPSA with an avenue to explore more targeted forms of collaboration with MACEE based on the university’s needs and priorities, including opportunities in research, expertise development and the enrichment of academic experiences.

Through the renewal of the MoU, UMPSA and MACEE will be able to continue the collaborative relationship established previously, with an emphasis on implementing initiatives that deliver clear outcomes and provide direct benefits to the university community.

The MoU signing and exchange ceremony was a key highlight of the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Fulbright Programme, marking the continued commitment of UMPSA and Fulbright Malaysia to expanding educational and academic exchange opportunities between Malaysia and the United States.

Photo by: Zaffaruddin Hamzah