Batam, Indonesia, 16 December 2023: Universiti Sains Malaysia signed a ‘mockup’ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Institut Teknologi Batam (ITEBA) during ITEBA 2^nd graduation ceremony at ITEBA Auditorium, JI Gajah Mada, Kompleks Vitka City, Tiban Ayu – Sekupang, Batam 29425, Kepulauan Riau – Indonesia.

ITEBA is a technopreneur institute, established under the Vitka Foundation and is represented by The Vitka Citi Complex JI Gajah Mada, Tiban, Batam Island, Riau Island Province, Indonesia. It comprises the Faculty of Industrial Technology with Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management programs, and the Faculty of Information Technology, with Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Visual Communication Design and Mathematics programs.

USM was represented by Ir. Ts. Dr. Lokman Mohd Fadzil, representing Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, FASc, Vice-Chancellor, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Selvakumar Manickam, Director, National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6), with express permission from the Office of the ViceChancellor. ITEBA was represented by Dr. H. Asman Abnur, SE., MM, Chairman, Yayasan Vitka, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. H. Hairul Abral, Rector, ITEBA, with Dr. Eng. Ansarullah Lawi, M.Eng and Zainul Munir, ST, Me.T.C. as MoA person-in-charge.

The primary focus of this partnership will be on establishing collaboration and opportunities for development, support and enrichment in research, educational and training programs in the fields with mutual interest to all parties.

This MOA#A2023569 between USM and ITEBA, pursuant to an earlierMOU#U2022176  signed in 9 June, 2022 at USM, define a broad collaboration with the aims to jointly participate in strategic partnership to include promoting, developing and establishing research, educational and training programs cooperation in the following fields:-

1. Exchange of academic lecturers:
   1. Exchange of visits and research between respective organizational members
   2. Bolster academic cooperation in community service and continuing education in addition to training program to develop institutional skills
2. Exchange of student visits:
   1. Exchange of visits by graduate and undergraduate students
3.  Collaboration in USM PhD programs
4. Research cooperation:
   1. Strengthened cooperation in research projects
   2. Exchange of research
5.  Organization of academic meetings and conferences
6. Exchange of sources of information and education as well as scientific and academic material in digital format
7. Collaboration in developing academic program and plans

The MoA ‘mockup’ signing ceremony was held as a symbolic gesture for subsequent preagreed activities with actual paperwork to be completed between USM and ITEBA.

For this MOA, USM will provide ITEBA the required support and administration of all related activities at USM and any other locations as specified in the agreement, including but not limited to, coordination, registration, admission, certification and accommodation services, teaching and learning resources and equipment, and meeting facilities, as required for the agreement duration, while ITEBA will provide USM the required financial sum, administrative support and carefully-selected ITEBA students and lecturers as required for the duration of the agreement as per below:

1. Oration speech at ITEBA about USM opportunities, Industry 4.0 impact for ITEBA students and lecturers, and USM-ITEBA collaboration
2. Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 short lectures or courses at ITEBA
3. ITEBA student internship at USM
4. Lecturers exchange program between ITEBA and USM lecturers
5. Graduate Studies (Masters and PhD) at USM opportunities for ITEBA lecturers

Subject to respective laws, constitution, regulations and/or policies from time to time in force, this MoA shall remain in effect for a period of 1 year with ITEBA.

Ir. Ts. Dr. Lokman Mohd Fadzil was also invited to deliver the keynote speech in the form of a scientific oration titled ‘Be Agent Of Change’, with focus on USM opportunities, USM-ITEBA collaboration and Industry 4.0, preceeded by USM anthem, Menara Ilmu corporate video.

The ceremony was concluded by reception attended by Prof. Dr. Syafsir Akhlus, M.Sc, Dr Asman Abnur SE MSI, Dr. Ir. Audy Joinaldy, S.Pt., M.Sc., M.M., IPM, ASEAN.Eng., Luhur Budianda, Drs. Barlius, MM, Prof Stephane Bressan from NUS, Muhammad Jufri, S.Kom., M.M, Dr. Syafruddin Rais, M.Par, Dr. Ir. Ririt Dwiputri Permatasari, S.T., M.SI, Dr. Eng. Ansarullah Lawi, M.Eng and Dr. Ir. M. Ansyar Bora, S.T, M.T, IPM.

The whole ceremony event can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXwDek7ih