WEDNESDAY, 01 JUNE – Eight lecturers from the Faculty of Business, Economy and Accounting (FPEP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) paid a working visit to Kota Tarakan from 30 May and ends on 2 June.

The visit among others focussed on continued discussions related to joint-research between researchers and lecturers from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Tinggi (STIE) Bulungan Tarakan, Indonesia.

The results of the discussion led to more than 10 research projects suggested by FPEP and six from STIE which included business, economy, tourism and management of Sabah and Kota Tarakan in Indonesia.

According to the Head of STIE, Drs R. Philipus, the collaboration with FPEP UMS was the first conducted by STIE and a foreign university.

He believed that UMS being among the best universities in Malaysia, would produce high impact research results through the collaboration of researchers from UMS and STIE.

“This would set a precedence on ‘across the border’ collaboration thus complementing the harmonious relationship of these two countries, Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.

Meanwhile, FPEP lecturer, Professor Dr. Arsiah Hj Bahron who was the head of delegation said many new ideas were developed through research from both entities that shared the same border along Borneo Island and Kalimantan.

“Besides forums, researchers from UMS also held field work, interviews and data collection for four days at Kota Tarakan.

“FPEP, UMS will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future to strengthen and enhance collaboration with foreign institutions such as STIE,” she said.

The second visit by FPEP, UMS to STIE, Indonesia hoped to boost further across the border collaboration, besides other academic activities.

STIE lecturers are expected to make a visit to Sabah so as to complete the research results from both sides.

Source: Jakaria Dasan, FPEP