Guests from a prestigious Malaysian university have visited North Staffordshire to officially sign a new partnership agreement to explore artificial intelligence and data science opportunities with Keele University. 

The delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), including their Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, visited Keele’s flagship new Innovation Centre 7 (IC7) building – home of Keele’s Digital Society Institute – to officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding linking the two universities. 

The MoU commits the partners to exploring opportunities together in the fields of AI and data science, including research, new courses, staff and student exchange trips, and potentials for industry collaboration. 

Keele’s Digital Society Institute, launched in 2023, brings together expertise from across the university to both address the challenges and make the most of the opportunities presented by the digital revolution. 

UTM is at the forefront of AI and data science research in Malaysia, having established Malaysia’s first Faculty of Artificial Intelligence earlier this year in partnership with the Malaysian government, to advance the country’s capabilities in artificial intelligence research and skill development. Keele’s Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Keele’s Digital Society Institute, were in Malaysia for this launch.  

Keele will be a member of the AI Consortium of Malaysia cutting across industry, academic and government to deliver cutting edge innovation.  

Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Keele University said: “We’re delighted to welcome the delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, together with the Ministry of Education, and three other Malaysian Universities, to Keele. We signed a new agreement to develop collaborations in the areas of artificial intelligence and data science, areas where UTM is at the forefront of research in Malaysia. 

“Strong international institution-level research partnerships form a key part of Keele’s international strategy and increasing Keele’s international profile and reputation.”