Thu, 2010-03-04 12:00 — admin

Queen's University Belfast strengthened its links with Malaysia by establishing a permanent office in the University of Malaya (UM).

The office in UM will provide a base for Queen's University staff and students who are involved in successful research partnerships and exchanges.

Underpinned by well-founded research collaborations, the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Malaya and Queen's University Belfast announced that five academic leaders from Queen's would be appointed as Visiting Professors at UM, and that three prestigious international research fellows and a further eight collaborative PhD studentships would be supported by the universities.

According to Queen's President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson, Queen's University Belfast is developing high quality partnerships with high quality institutions and high quality people in Malaysia.

"Our partnership with the University of Malaya is an excellent example of such a global partnership. By establishing a physical presence at UM, we can continue to build upon the links between our two institutions as we each strive to become Global Top 100 universities."

Professor Gregson also met ten post-graduate students from Queen's School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering who are already studying here under the British Council's PMI2 Connect programme.

A delegation from Queen's, led by Professor Gregson, was on a three-day visit to Malaysia.

"Queen's has a long-standing relationship with Malaysia and we are fully committed to growing our relationships with Malaysia's academic institutions, businesses, industry and our many alumni in this country," said Professor Gregson.

The Queen's delegation also visited the Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT), and signed an agreement with Taylor's University College, which will enable engineering students from Taylor's to study in Belfast.

During the visit to UniKL, Professor Gregson, a Non-Executive Director of Rolls-Royce plc and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, addressed an invited audience of eminent scientists and engineers at the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology. Professor Gregson delivered a key note speech on the technological challenges facing the aerospace industry.

Professor Gregson's address set out the major challenges facing the aerospace industry today if environmental and sustainability targets are to be achieved. Drawing on his earlier research with Airbus and his recent experiences with Rolls Royce, he highlighted how new designs have led to environmentally friendly engines and how aerodynamic optimisation and advanced materials have contributed to a dramatically enhanced environmental performance of today's latest airlines.

"This is an honour for me, and for Queen's University Belfast, to be invited to address Malaysia's leading aerospace scientists, engineers and researchers on this important topic. The European collaboration in the aerospace industry has demonstrated that sharing of knowledge and skills across international borders can benefit all parties and is vital in today's world," said Professor Gregson.