The Department of Computer Science, University of Karachi and the University of Ulster of the United Kingdom on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate with each other and recognize the mutual benefit of exploring opportunities to work together.
The Director for Global Engagement Ulster University, Catriona McCarthy and the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi inked the MoU at the VC Secretariat. The Country Manager Ulster University Humair Ahmed, the Dean of Sciences, KU, Professor Dr Tabassum Mehboob and faculty of the department of computer science were also present on this occasion.
Catriona McCarthy, while sharing the details of the objectives and scope of the MoU, said that students of department of computer science would have mobility funding opportunities, particularly the students enrolled in the postgraduate program while PhD scholarships would also be available under this MoU.
She mentioned that besides staff mobility funding opportunities, collaborative research and summer programs are also major components of this MoU. She added that both parties had agreed to promote cooperation in the field of computer science for the advancement of students.
Catriona McCarthy believes that this MoU would help in sharing of information, experience and skills as well as learn from each other and develop effective working practices. She underlined that the Ulster University and the Karachi University would be able to work collaboratively to identify solutions, eliminate duplication of effort and be aware of risk and costs.
The Global Partnerships and Programs Officer, Ulster University, Sarah Hunter and Program Coordinator, Department of Computer Science, KU, Muhammad Sadiq Ali Khan would coordinate this memorandum of understanding.
The Chairman, Department of Computer Science, said that this MoU would be a good opportunity for the faculty and students of computer science department as they would get a chance to complete one semester at the Ulster University.
He expressed that faculty training program would benefit the faculty members and they would get on-hand training regarding modern technology and its usage at the Ulster University.
Meanwhile, the KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi said that it would surely help the students and they would be able to learn a lot from this experience. He expressed that varsity’s students should take advantage of this offer as this academic mobility is a nice opportunity for them and as well as for the faculty members of the computer science department. The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi mentioned that academic exchange and scientific research cooperation would produce fruitful results in future.
Later, Humair Ahmed and Catriona McCarthy visited the Karachi University Business School, Visual Studies Department and HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry to explore the possibilities of joint venture with the Ulster University.