Page 51 - VC Message

Home of the Bright. Land of the Brave

Di Sini Bermulanya Pintar, Tanah Tumpahnya Berani

28. In 1960, the government of the two territories indicated their desire to change the
status of the Divisions into that of a national university. Legislation was passed in
1961 and the Universiti Malaya was established on 1st January 1962.
29. On June 16th 1962, Universiti Malaya celebrated the installation of its first
Chancellor, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who was also the country’s first
prime minister. The first Vice-Chancellor was Professor Oppenheim, a world-
renowned Mathematician.
30. In 1962, the Singapore campus of the University of Malaya became an
autonomous institution known as the University of Singapore. In 1980, Nanyang
University and the University of Singapore merged to form the National University “
We will continue
of Singapore (NUS). to deepen our
31. I express my gratitude and appreciation to the organising teams from both NUS unique and long
and UM and also to my counterpart, Prof Tan Eng Chye, the President of NUS for
their efforts in hosting this year’s event and the hospitality shown. lasting ties in
32. We will continue to deepen our unique and long lasting ties in facing renewed facing renewed
challenges of
challenges of the future, and we will always cherish resilient partnerships with our
sister university, the National University of Singapore the future, and
33. I have also undertaken an official trip to Russia under the banner of the 3rd we will always
cherish resilient
Meeting of the Joint Russian-Malaysian Commission for Economic, Scientific,
Technical and Cultural Cooperation. partnerships
34. I led the platform of the Malaysian higher education arena and I have presented with our sister
university, the
to the audience of Russian government officials and institutions on the strategic
future driven approach in elevating the higher education, scientific and cultural National University
ties between both nations. of Singapore
35. We have expanded the scope and future potential ties with Russian institutions in 43
various critical sectors including higher education, economic and trade ties and
“
scientific and defence related sectors where the role of research, academic and
knowledge capacities and cooperation form the basis of strategic interdependence
between both countries.
36. We have also initiated a central platform and centre for the expansion and
continuation of close collaborations through a two pronged channel, both in direct
bilateral synergy and ties with individual Russian institutions and universities, and
through the overview and holistic approach led by the government channels and
Ministries of Higher Education from both countries.
37. This is through the Joint Commission and in strengthening of human capital and
knowledge development from the part of higher education that will be led by UM.
38. Saint Petersburg is home to several top universities, with a rich culture of scientific
and higher education excellence, producing nine Nobel Laureates and home to
the higher education of President Putin.
39. Critical new areas of scientific and critical sectors of the future including critical
minerals, quantum and lasers, humanities and security, and on language and
cultural advancement are among the strategic sectors where UM will continue to
deepen ties with universities in St Petersburg.
40. St Petersburg portrays its pride and historical affiliation as a cultural, literature and
scientific city that is hundreds of years in existence, with the great calibration of
both preservation of its own heritage and systemic advantage in its strength, and
yet the ability to adapt and to persevere in the modern changes throughout the
centuries.
41. The intricate structural push in moving forward with the changes and demands of
the changing times and norms, but at the same time in taking pride of their own
core advantage and strength in what they do best, provides a great benchmark