Taipei, 24 February 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and the National Taiwan University of Nursing and Health Sciences (NTUNHS) have reinforced their academic partnership through the formal handover of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The event, hosted by the NTUNHS International Office, signifies a pivotal step in fostering collaboration between the two institutions.
Representing UNIMAS at the ceremony was Associate Professor Dr. Amalia Madihie, former Dean of the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, while NTUNHS was represented by Professor Dr. Pei Ye-Li, Head of the Department of Thanalogy and Health Counseling. This MoU marks the second agreement between the two universities, following the initial initiative led by Professor Dr. Haunn-Tarng Tseng in 2019.
The primary objective of the MoU is to enhance strategic engagement between UNIMAS and NTUNHS, with a particular focus on teaching, learning, and research. The collaboration aims to facilitate academic exchanges, joint research endeavours, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, benefiting both institutions and their student communities.
As part of her visit, Dr Amalia delivered a public lecture titled Resilience Supports for Grievers, engaging with students and faculty from the Department of Thanalogy and Health Counseling. Her presentation provided valuable insights into psychological resilience and support mechanisms for individuals coping with grief and loss. Additionally, she participated in a roundtable discussion with researchers and faculty members, exploring potential research collaborations in mental health, grief counselling, and interdisciplinary approaches to emotional well-being.
This academic exchange underscores the commitment of both UNIMAS and NTUNHS to fostering meaningful partnerships that drive research excellence and enhance student learning experiences. In addition, Dr. Amalia took the opportunity to promote the International Resilience Symposium 2025 (IReS’25) to NTUNHS staff and students. Accompanied by Mastura Ariffin from the Sarawak Welfare Department, who serves as the symposium’s secretariat, she expressed hope for increased participation from Taiwan. IReS’25 is scheduled to take place from 25th to 26th May 2025 at Hilton Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
According to Dr. Amalia, IReS’25 will offer a distinctive approach, combining scholarly knowledge-sharing sessions with a resilience intervention program involving the local community. The symposium will emphasize the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in resilience practices. To encourage broader participation, the early bird registration deadline has been extended to 31st March 2025.
As the Chairperson of IReS’25, Dr. Amalia warmly invites academics, professionals, and community stakeholders to register and participate in this inaugural symposium. Organized by the Human Resilience and Potential Centre at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, the event aims to bring together a diverse range of participants, including representatives from local and international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and individuals seeking to enhance their expertise. With a distinguished lineup of speakers from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and Norway, IReS’25 is poised to serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and professional development.
This strengthened partnership between UNIMAS and NTUNHS reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, impactful research collaborations, and meaningful community engagement, further enriching the global academic landscape.