Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin was awarded an honorary doctorate in Management from Management & Science University (MSU ), Kuala Lumpur, on January 23.
The ceremony was attended by prestigious figures associated with the college and country, perhaps most notably the Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, who is also the Chancellor of MSU. MSU president, Dr Mohamed Shukri, was also in attendance alongside a host of doctors and professors from the insitution.
In recent years the ties between AIT and partner colleges in Malaysia have been growing and strengthening. Education bonds between Malaysia and Ireland, particularly in the area of medical tuition, have existed for quite some time. Professor Ó Catháin commented: “From AIT’s perspective, we are minded to collaborate with the best international teachers and researchers, to share ideas on curriculum development and delivery that will deliver for our community.
"In pursuing this ideal, we have found equally committed partners amongst the Malaysian higher education community. I am delighted to say that MSU is one of those partner institutions.”
Professor Shukri, president of MSU, led a delegation to Ireland in September 2015 and was awarded a distinguished fellowship from AIT. The conferring of an honorary doctorate from MSU on Professor Ó Catháin cements further the deep bonds between the two institutions.
Internationalisation is a key objective in the development of both higher education institutions. Professor Shukri and professor Ó Catháin discussed opportunities for collaboration on curriculum design, research projects, student and staff exchange programmes. The student exchange agreement signed between AIT and MSU during this visit to Kuala Lumpur will promote study abroad opportunities.
AIT students will have the option of completing a semester or year abroad in Kuala Lumpur as part of their academic programme of study. Professor Ó Catháin will encourage students to consider an international experience to enhance their study experience at AIT and introduce them to business customs in Asia.
