Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia (UiTM), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, to promote cooperation in natural products research and applied biosciences.
The agreement was formally signed during a ceremony held at ICCBS, University of Karachi, with the objective of strengthening, promoting, and developing academic, cultural, and research cooperation between the two institutions on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director ICCBS, and Associate Professor Dr. Fatimah Salim, Director of the Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery (AuRIns), Malaysia, on behalf of their respective institutions. The ceremony was attended by national and international scholars and officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah said that ICCBS is an established research center with proven research and educational capabilities and collaborative arrangements with many counterparts to share expertise and strengthen academic links and cooperation.
He described the MoU as a landmark step in encouraging collaborative educational, teaching, research, and cultural activities between the two countries. He highlighted the close relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia, noting that both countries share deep-rooted historical and cultural ties that should be further strengthened, particularly in the fields of education, science, and technology.
He further added that ICCBS is among Pakistan’s leading centers of excellence in chemical, biological, and biochemical sciences and serves as an international hub for training scholars from various countries.
It is worth mentioning that Universiti Teknologi MARA is a well-established university with a strong track record of educational excellence and research, and maintains dynamic collaborative arrangements with many international partners. UiTM is Malaysia’s largest comprehensive public university, focusing on high-quality education and research.
According to the MoU, both institutions will work together to exchange knowledge and develop skills in the areas of natural products research and applied biosciences.
Both institutions will also facilitate training opportunities for young researchers (PhD students), laboratory technicians, research assistants, research officers, and young lecturers through attachment and mobility programs at their respective institutions.
