UTCC and IIUM Sign Historic MoU Fostering Closer Relations

By, Aida Mokhtar

Malaysia and Thailand are members of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), they are neighbours, they have similar tropical climates and regard rice as a key food staple. A recent visit of one academic and 12 students to Bangkok, Thailand from 29 July 2025 to 1 August 2025 as part of the IIUMToday ASEAN Media Attachment 2025 programme, marked the noble intention of fostering a closer relationship between the neighbouring countries through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

The MoU was signed by Acting Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, Asst. Prof. Lakkhana Saothayanun and IIUM Rector, Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar witnessed by Acting Dean of the School of Communication Arts, Dr. Pitchpatu Waiyachote and myself as the Advisor of IIUMToday and academic of the Department of Communication, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) who led the visit to UTCC.

We were greeted with a warm welcome at UTCC by Dr. Pitchpatu and her colleagues on 30 July 2025. A discussion ensued on possible collaborations in research studies, publications, seminars in-person or online and student mobility as top items on the agenda and with journalism, marketing communication, public opinion and public relations as possible areas of collaboration.

I also mentioned that the IIUM and our faculty, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS) epitomize the fusion of Islamic knowledge and human knowledge. The formation of good relations with both Muslims and non-Muslims is encouraged in Islam for the sake of peaceful co-existence and this was one of the main goals of the visit to UTCC.

Upon completion of the MoU signing ceremony, there were presentations from five IIUM students on their research papers. The presenters were students taking the Master of Human Sciences in Communication programme, Adlina Amani Binti Abdul Razak; the Bachelor of Human Sciences in Communication programme – Managing Editor of IIUMToday, Sarah Nur Safiyyah Binti Shaik Mohamed Jamil and Farishatulnisa Hanani Binti Faris Adil; Bachelor of English Language and Literature programme, Farah Aishah Binti Rosli; and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme, Dewi Amira Dania Binti Radin Ariff Taquiddin. It was a session that involved the sharing of research findings by the students and input from UTCC academics resulting to the co-creation of meaning leading to a truly enjoyable session.

The media attachment was in keeping with the National Education Philosophy of Malaysia underscoring the development of students holistically in relation to intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions. The twelve students who participated in the programme learned more Thai words, experienced Thai food, learned more on Thai media after visiting the media organisations, Thairath and ThaiPBS and more of Thai culture and the arts after visiting the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. It is hoped that the programme allows for the cultivation of a balanced individual propagated by the Malaysian government by providing the opportunity for the students to embrace all dimensions through experiential learning. The students were inspired by the visit to learn from others or work with other people from other cultures in other countries.

I’d like to convey my special thanks to Acting Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research at UTCC, Assist. Prof. Lakkhana Saothayanun; IIUM Rector, Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar; Acting Dean of the School of Communication Arts at UTCC, Dr. Pitchpatu Waiyachote; Chairperson of the Ethics Committee at UTCC and one of the founders of the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR), Dr. Jantima Kheokao; former Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, Prof. Dr. Shukran Bin Abdul Rahman; Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, Prof. Dr. Hafiz Bin Zakariya; former Deputy Dean of Student Development and Community Engagement of AHAS KIRKHS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Noh Bin Abdul Jalil; former Head of the Department of Communication, AHAS KIRKHS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Siti Aisha Binti Tengku Azzman, Head of the Department of Communication, AHAS KIRKHS, Dr. Rizalawati Binti Ismail, AHAS KIRKHS International Office representative, Dr. Ahmad Bin Muhammad Husni, IIUM’s Office of the Legal Adviser (OLA), IIUM Holdings for sponsoring the programme and others for your role in ensuring that the IIUMToday ASEAN Media Attachment 2025 was a success.***

*Photos credit to UTCC.