The Enduring Educational Link Between ITM/UiTM and the United States

The Enduring Educational Link Between ITM/UiTM and the United States

ITM first established its academic cooperation with Ohio University, USA, with the support of the Asia Foundation in 1968.

Under this collaboration, ITM lecturers were sent to Ohio University for training, while American professors visited ITM to support teaching, curriculum development and academic administration.

ITM’s ties with American universities grew stronger in the 1980s when it collaborated with MUCIA (Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, Inc.) to establish the American Associate Degree (AAD) programmes in Shah Alam. These programmes marked an important milestone in providing students with a pathway to transfer their credits to American universities and complete their degrees.

ITM’s Pusat Pendidikan Persediaan (PPP) subsequently expanded these programmes through partnerships with other American higher education institutions and organisations, including the University of Maryland University College and the Texas International Educational Consortium (TIEC).

I was fortunate to be among the first batch of students in the MUCIA programme. I obtained an Associate Degree in General Studies from IUPUI after completing my first two years of study at ITM, before proceeding to Purdue University to complete my engineering degree and subsequently my master’s degree. Looking back, it was a valuable opportunity that helped shape my academic and professional journey.

PPP-ITM later launched the American Degree Programme (ADP) in June 1993, providing another pathway for Malaysian students to pursue their degrees at universities in the United States.

Against all odds, the relationship between Ohio University and UiTM has endured to this day. A recent testament to this longstanding partnership is the appointment of Professor Dr. Shahanum Md Shah as the 16th Tun Abdul Razak Chair at Ohio University.

Over the decades, thousands of students have benefited from these programmes, graduated from American universities and gone on to serve—and continue to serve—in key positions across the public and private sectors. Their contributions have played a part in Malaysia’s development and in shaping the nation we see today.

The educational link between Malaysia and the United States has been one of our most enduring and valuable international partnerships. Built on a shared commitment to education, knowledge and human development, I believe this relationship will continue to flourish and create opportunities for generations of Malaysians to come.

Hantaran ini berkaitan dengan sejarah kerjasama pendidikan dan hubungan akademik antara ITM/UiTM dengan institusi pengajian tinggi di Amerika Syarikat, termasuk Ohio University serta pelaksanaan program AAD dan ADP.

• Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
• Ohio, United States of America