TWO postgraduate students stand a chance to join a new research programme for interns with the recently launched Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — World Bank Group Research Intern Pilot Programme.
The pilot programme will offer vocational training in international development and opportunities to contribute to an initiative or research project at the World Bank Group Global Knowledge and Research Hub in Malaysia.
The research project covers a wide variety of subject areas such as finance, economic growth, poverty reduction, poverty reduction, and social protection and labour.
UKM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said this collaboration affirmed the university’s commitment to continuously build upon its mutually beneficial and collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing activities.
“Under this programme, UKM will be the first university in the country to partner with the World Bank to offer the internship programme for postgraduate students.
“It will also be jointly managed by the Institute of Malaysia and International Studies (IKMAS),” he said.
Noor Azlan said a joint UKM-World Bank panel will select the candidates based on their academic and professional achievements, leadership capability and a commitment to development.
“They must be enrolled in a postgraduate programme at the university and will join the World Bank Group office in Malaysia in April,” he added.
World Bank Group Global Knowledge and Research Hub in Malaysia country manager Faris Hadad-Zervos said: “I am pleased to acknowledge our shared intent and commitment to deepen and broaden our successful collaboration with UKM, through this programme.
“This will reinforce the work of the World Bank Group in Malaysia, which has been a hub for new regional and international research since last year.
“This collaboration also reflects our new partnership with local institutions for global development solutions,” he said.
The pilot programme is part of the World Bank’s effort to partner with local institutions to advance the hub’s goals of sharing the country’s development experience and carrying out innovative development policy research.
The event also saw the conferment of the UKM Royal Fellow to Tunku Zain Al-Abidin Tuanku Mukhriz which marked another milestone for IKMAS as the host institute.
Tunku Zain will share his experience in programmes associated with ASEAN integration, especially in the social cultural dimension.
“For about seven years, I have been coming here to play squash, piano and also engage with students in numerous programmes and activities.
“Outside the university, people don’t know the good work that is going on here. I am proud to be more associated with UKM now as the Royal Fellow,” said Tunku Zain.
During the three years as UKM Royal Fellow, Tunku Zain will have opportunities to share his thoughts on current and policy issues through two public seminars, interact with staff and students, and enhance inter-regional networking capacity for UKM.
Another milestone for IKMAS was the launch of the Southeast Asia Network (SEANET) in cooperation with the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). SEANET, which will be based at IKMAS, will act as a regional research and advocacy centre that promoted policy ideas on property rights, freer movement of goods and people, and inclusive growth.
Also present were UKM deputy vice-chancellor (Industry & Community Partnerships) Professor Datuk Dr Imran Ho Abdullah, IKMAS director Professor Datuk Dr Rashila Ramli and IDEAS chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan.