KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is looking forward to have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with University of the Philippines.

According to UMS vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Harun Abdullah in his welcoming speech at the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus held at UMS Recital Hall near here on Tuesday night, they hoped to venture into the MoU not only in the fields of music, culture and arts but also beyond the looks of social sciences and humanities.

He explained that academic linkages as such enhances the university’s academic mission and visions.

“UMS is actively involved and committed towards quality enhancement in our delivery system particularly in the academic field. The university has developed academic collaborations and understandings with universities at both national and international levels, thus placing UMS in the eyes of the world,” he said.

With regards to music and arts, Dr Harun said UMS was strong in both faculties.

“In the faculty of arts, we have high quality facilities and conducive environment for teaching, learning and producing of creative works of art. As for music, our program offers studies in classical and popular music guided by a team from the industry,” he said.

He added that the music program offered by UMS was an industry-related course and the university consistently engaged with industry players for their guide and views.

“As the development of music in the country is scaling to greater heights, UMS, through the music program, has its role to offer a variety of industry related courses, for example music business and technology, music marketing and management, music programming and syntheses and studio recording technology. These are industry related courses where students are guided and geared towards becoming an art or music entrepreneur, or as industry players in performance, professional music careers and skilled music technologists in the recording industry.”

Meanwhile, also present to grace the event were wife of the Head of State Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, J. Eduardo Malaya, Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid and Special Duties Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang.

Eduardo, in his speech, thanked UMS for opening its door to hold the concert within its venue and the presentation that night marked the start of cultural collaborations between both UMS and the University of the Philippines.

“I look forward for the UMS group to perform at the University of Philippines,” he said.

He added that the University of Philippines was the country’s ambassador in the facet of culture.

In his speech, he also mentioned that Philippines has the fastest growing economy in the region, registering a gross domestic product growth of 6.5 per cent last year, and 7.8 per cent during the first quarter of this year, overtaking even that of China.

The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus was led by conductor and artistic director, Professor Janet Sabas-Aracama.