Imphal, September 3, 2026: Manipur University and INTI International University, Malaysia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding during a virtual signing ceremony on September 3 to strengthen academic cooperation through joint research, student and faculty exchanges, internships and collaborative programmes.
Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Registrar, signed the MoU on behalf of Manipur University, while Prof. Dr. Goh Khang Wen, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global Engagement, signed on behalf of INTI International University. Prof RK Hemakumar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University; Prof. Memcha Loitongbam, Dean, School of Social Sciences, Manipur University; and Prof. Dr. Asokan Vasudevan, Director, International Relations and Collaborations Centre, INTI International University, signed as witnesses.
Addressing the ceremony, Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, welcomed the collaboration and expressed the Manipur University’s readiness to actively undertake the activities envisaged under the agreement. He thanked the INTI leadership and officials for facilitating the signing and emphasised the importance of sustained engagement in carrying the collaboration forward.
Referring to Manipur University’s implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, Prof. Hemakumar highlighted the opportunities that internships and student exchanges with the Malaysian university could offer. He expressed hope that both institutions would fulfil their respective responsibilities and translate the agreement into meaningful academic cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Goh Khang Wen emphasised that INTI was seeking active institutional partnerships capable of producing tangible benefits for students and staff. While the university continued to expand its international network, he said the priority was to develop collaborations that resulted in sustained activities and measurable outcomes.
He identified research collaboration, student mobility, visiting scholar programmes, joint conferences and possible degree collaborations as areas for engagement. He also acknowledged Dr. Anne Thingnam’s role in recommending the partnership and conveying Manipur University’s academic strengths.
Outlining opportunities for Manipur University students, Prof. Goh said INTI could accommodate up to 20 exchange students per semester. He described a one-semester exchange arrangement offering a tuition fee waiver and free accommodation, with a stated visa fee of 1,500 Malaysian ringgit. Such exchanges, he said, would allow students to interact with peers from different countries and gain international exposure.
Highlighting INTI’s international standing, Prof. Goh said the university is audited as QS 4 Star and  ranked 406th globally and 102nd in Asia. He also highlighted its subject strengths, citing business among the world’s top 300 and accounting and finance among the top 375.
Prof. Goh also referred to online learning opportunities for partner institutions and expressed willingness to share INTI’s experience in international university rankings through knowledge-sharing or coaching sessions. He welcomed further discussions on programme collaboration and invited representatives of Manipur University to visit INTI in Malaysia.
Prof. Ch. Ibohal Meitei, Director, Manipur Institute of Management Studies (MIMS), thanked the INTI team and highlighted the scope for cooperation in student and faculty activities, joint research, publications, seminars, conferences and workshops. He noted that the benefits could extend beyond teaching faculty to staff and other functions within the university system.
Emphasising Manipur University’s multidisciplinary character, Prof. Ibohal identified opportunities across frontier areas of science and technology, finance, social sciences and liberal arts. He expressed hope that the agreement would lead to greater direct engagement and fruitful outcomes for both institutions.
The MoU provides a broad framework for cooperation in education, liberal arts, business management, entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Joint research, exchanges of faculty members and research personnel, and collaborative publications are among its principal provisions.
For students and scholars, the agreement envisages exchanges, internships, field studies and collaborative projects. These activities could widen access to academic expertise, support research across disciplines and provide opportunities to learn in a different institutional and cultural setting.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are also included, with provisions for jointly promoting incubation and entrepreneurship centres, consultancy activities and skill development related to educational technology. The universities will explore cooperative degree and certificate programmes, professional language teaching and cultural exchanges.
Joint conferences, seminars, workshops, training programmes and academic meetings would provide further platforms for sharing knowledge and developing research networks. Other areas identified in the agreement include sustainable development goals, connectivity, culture and responsible tourism.
Specific activities, financial arrangements and programme terms will be developed through mutual written agreement, subject to institutional regulations and the availability of resources.
Others present from Manipur University included Prof. Angom Dilip Kumar Singh, Director, Research and Development Cell; Prof. Mayanglambam Lilee Devi, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies Centre, Manipur University and  Dr. Sakila Nongmeikapam, Public Relations Officer (PRO).
Dr. Tafara Mudzengi, Assistant Manager, International Relations and Collaboration Centre  (IRCC); Dr. Thingnam Anne, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Malaysia; and Miss Tanushri Natasha Anne Paramesvaran, Executive I, IRCC also participated from INTI International University.