Sit from left: Dr Noor Hassanah, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal, Annie Undikai, G.Roy Suresh Sharma.
LABUAN: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through its Labuan Faculty of International Finance (LFIF), formalised a strategic partnership with the Labuan International Insurance Association (LIIA) through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) Yesterday.
The signing ceremony was held at the Executive Meeting Room, UMSKAL, marking a significant step towards enhancing collaboration between academia and the insurance industry, particularly within Labuan’s international financial ecosystem.
The LoI was signed in the presence of key representatives from both institutions, including Annie Undikai, Chairman of LIIA; G. Roy Suresh Sharma, Immediate Past Chairman and Council Member of LIIA. Representing UMS was Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal, Dean of the Labuan Faculty of International Finance.
This collaboration aims to foster closer engagement between academia and industry through initiatives such as knowledge sharing, talent development, research collaboration, and professional development programmes. The partnership is also expected to contribute towards strengthening Labuan’s position as a leading international business and financial centre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Annie Undikai highlighted the importance of bridging academic insights with industry practices, noting that the collaboration would create valuable opportunities for students and professionals alike.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal emphasised UMS’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates and advancing impactful research aligned with industry needs. He added that the collaboration with LIIA would provide a strong platform for students to gain practical exposure and enhance employability.
The Letter of Intent signifies the mutual commitment of both parties to explore and implement collaborative initiatives that will benefit the academic community, industry stakeholders, and the broader financial services sector.
Together in attendance are Mr David Yeoh Eng Hock, Secretary of LIIA , Mr Zaid Aziz Ibrahim, LIIA Council Member, Dr Noor Hassanah Husin, Deputy Dean of Student Affair and Alumni, Dr Alesia Sigang Gugkang, Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, and Dr Andrew Saw Teck Wei, Head of Program of International Offshore Banking.
