Two University of Queensland initiatives in Malaysia, both aimed at creating research, teaching and business links, are the latest achievements in the University's internationalisation program.
The projects are expected to stimulate collaborative research and development work, training programs and exchanges in both countries.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has set up a company to undertake for collaborative work and commercialisation of University innovations with the Malaysian government and industry, according to Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture Faculty executive dean Professor Paul Greenfield.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has also established a twinning agreement, in collaboration with five other Australian universities, to provide education services for a new university in Kuala Lumpur.
The first initiative is the result of a 1996 memorandum of understanding signed by the University and the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) and Â鶹ÊÓƵ, to promote research, teaching and commercial collaboration between the two institutions.
This led to a joint venture between UniQuest, the University's technology transfer company and the UTM's commercial arm, to establish a company with initial capital of $100,000.
Professor Greenfield will officially launch the company, Global Technology and Innovation Management (GTIM), on March 17 at UTM's Johor Bahru campus.
'GTIM was established to link the University of Queensland with a rising university in the region, to promote our technologies and develop a collaborative international technology management program,' Professor Greenfield said.
'Over time we will be able to develop a more international focus for our programs and ultimately set up student and staff exchanges.'
Professor Greenfield, Dr Shantha Liyanage, a senior lecturer in the Technology Management Centre, and UniQuest's Ian Crebbin developed the agreement with UTM.
Dr Liyanage said GTIM would generate commercial activities for both insititutions.
'The project is an ideal way to build links that may lead to collaborative projects in research and development, technology commercialisation and transfer, training courses, and staff and student exchange programs,' he said.
GTIM has already won a consultancy project to prepare a business plan for UTM to raise its research funding target to A$30 million by the end of 1997.
In a separate agreement, the University has joined Australian National University, La Trobe University, University of Western Australia, Macquarie University, University of Tasmania and Kuala Lumpur's Nilai College to establish a new campus in Kuala Lumpur.
Under the twinning agreement signed late last year, the University will develop and deliver programs in business and commerce, engineering and information technology - the most popular fields of study in Malaysia.
Similarly, the other Australian university partners will offer courses in different disciplines.
The agreement requires second-year level Malaysian students to complete at least two years' study at the University of Queensland before they can receive a Â鶹ÊÓƵ degree.
Academic Registrar Neville Lamb said twinning ensured the University attracted an increasing share of overseas students while providing students with a cultural experience.
Malaysian students comprise the second highest number of overseas students at the University, with most studying business, commerce, engineering and information technology.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ also has twinning agreements with Prime College and the HELP (Higher Education Learing Program) Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
For more information about the office, contact Professor Greenfield (telephone 3365 3329) or Dr Liyanage (telephone 3365 3922).
