UPM, National Taiwan University forge partnership through Dual PhD Programme

By: Aimi Mohamad Farid

Photo by: Saleha Haron

SERDANG, 7 July - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has strengthened its global academic network through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with National Taiwan University (NTU), paving a way for joint research, academic mobility and postgraduate education through a Dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme.

The MoA marks a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between UPM and NTU by providing doctoral candidates with joint academic supervision, international research exposure and opportunities for cross-border knowledge exchange.

UPM Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Profesor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, said the programme reflects the university’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships and producing research that addresses international challenges.

“As we formalise this new academic initiative, we hope this collaboration will build a stronger foundation of mutual trust, shared aspirations and a long-standing commitment to academic excellence,” he said.

He added that the programme supports UPM’s strengths in agriculture, food security and planetary health while encouraging impactful research that contributes practical solutions for society and the global community.

Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, UPM, Prof. Dr. Zalilah Mohd Shariff, said the agreement reflects the shared commitment of both universities to advancing postgraduate education and research.

“This MoA is more than the establishment of a Dual PhD Programme, as it represents our shared commitment to advancing postgraduate education, strengthening research collaboration and developing future scholars,” she said.

Dean of the College of Bioresources and Agriculture, NTU, Prof. Dr. Yu-Pin Lin, said the MoA is an important first step in strengthening the partnership between the two universities.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening our partnership through closer collaboration in education and research, and we believe both our students and faculty members will benefit from it,” he said.

He also noted that UPM is NTU’s first university partner in Southeast Asia to establish a dual degree programme, reflecting the close relationship and mutual trust shared by both institutions.

The collaboration is expected to create wider opportunities for joint research, international publications, staff and student mobility, research attachments, postgraduate supervision and multidisciplinary academic collaboration.

The partnership also supports UPM's PUTRA Global Prominence Drive Plan (PutraGLOBE) by expanding transnational education, strengthening international research collaboration and reinforcing the university’s global prominence through strategic academic partnerships.

Also present at the signing ceremony were deans, deputy deans, heads of departments and faculty representatives from UPM, as well as members of the delegation from NTU.