JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) recently signed two agreements for collaborations that will help improve the level of English language proficiency among students.
Representatives from both universities signed a memorandum of agreement and memorandum of understanding for programmes that will benefit 1,000 international students from UNMC.
The programme will be carried out through face-to-face learning modules and via the online learning portal for tertiary students, MyLinE.
The portal is developed by a task force under the UTM Language Academy.
UNMC provost and chief executive officer Prof Graham Kendall and UTM deputy vice chancellor (development) Prof Dr Azlan Abdul Rahman signed the agreements on behalf of their respective varsities.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Higher Education Ministry director-general Datin Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, UNMC School of Education head Prof Dr Ganakumaran Subramaniam, UTM Language Academy dean Assoc Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Raof and UNMC Assoc Prof Dr Rozilini M. Fernandez-Chung.
UTM Language Academy MyLine manager Assoc Prof Fatimah Puteh said the collaboration is expected to provide an opportunity for international students from UNMC's School of Education to excel in language proficiency skills in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).
“The collaboration involves face-to-face training modules and online assistance for 1,000 UNMC international students.
“The collaboration will also enhance the visibility of the two world-class universities and strengthen the expertise and competitiveness among UTM instructors," she said.
Fatimah said the programmes received support from the Malaysian Examination Council (MCM). She said the UNMC students under the Bangladesh College Education Development Project (BCEDP) will benefit from the collaboration as well.
She said that MyLinE was the only language learning portal in Malaysia that offers MUET learning materials online.
“The portal helps users improve and master the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking which are tested in MUET,” she said.