KUALA LUMPUR: The recently concluded International Conference on Public Policy and Social Sciences (ICoPS) 2023 has played a pivotal role in enhancing the ties between Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Held from Wednesday (Sept 13) to Friday (Sept 15) at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), it was organised by UiTM's Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies and IUS.
The fruitful collaboration of the universities from the two countries was further solidified through the launch of a book titled "A Multidimensional Study on Malaysia-Bosnia and Herzegovina" at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) in Sarajevo on Friday.
UNSA's rector, Professor Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, joined delegations from UNSA and UiTM, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor, along with the Dean and members of FSPPP, UiTM, at the book launch.
Roziah conveyed her sentiments, stating that the publication of this book by UiTM Press exemplified cooperation, internationalisation, and knowledge sharing between two countries hailing from different continents.
It serves as a clear symbol of the harmonious relationship between these two nations and their respective universities.
Later in the evening, the Malaysian Embassy in Sarajevo hosted a networking dinner in honor of the UiTM delegation.
During this gathering, Roziah presided over the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU) between UiTM and IUS, as well as UiTM and the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST).
On the conference, it adopted a hybrid format, accommodating both physical attendance at IUS and virtual participation through the Webex application.
Under the theme "Contemporary Public Administration and Governance," the conference provided an invaluable platform for researchers and scholars from across the globe to present their research findings in various fields.
The three-day event commenced with three "Master Class" sessions held on Wednesday, virtually, and attended by 150 participants from within and outside the country.
These sessions featured academic experts sharing their knowledge on qualitative and quantitative research, as well as manuscript writing for publication in high-impact journals.
Subsequently, a presentation session featuring 70 research papers took place virtually via the Webex application and in person at IUS on Thursday.
On the same day, the Inauguration Ceremony of ICoPS 2023 unfolded at IUS and was live-streamed on the official IUS YouTube and FSPPP Facebook pages. In this ceremony, a welcoming address was delivered by IUS rector Professor Dr. Ahmet Yildirim.
During the opening of the conference's first session, the Malaysian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin, delivered a speech titled "Malaysia Madani: The Impetus for Transformation."
His address likely provided valuable insights into Malaysia's journey towards progress and transformation, offering a compelling perspective on the nation's experiences and strategies for development.