UTAR Signs MoU with Xiamen University

For October 2008 Newsletter

As part of the efforts of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in maintaining and fostering international relations with universities abroad, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between UTAR and Xiamen University (XMU) on 24 September 2008 at a ceremony held in Xiamen, China. Three senior officials from UTAR attended the ceremony.

The MoU with Xiamen University was signed by Prof. Sun Shigang, Vice President of XMU and Prof. Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, representing UTAR President. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Zhuang GuoTu, Head of the Institute of Malaysia Studies at XMU and Prof. Lim Chooi Kwa, Head of UTAR's Chinese Studies Department.

Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting, President of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Dr. Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia were present to witness the signing ceremony.

The MoU marked the start of collaborative efforts between UTAR and XMU for the advancements of both universities.

During the ceremony UTAR and XMU discussed the potential collaborative efforts that could be implemented in the near future. Among some of the significant issues discussed were the provisions of scholarships or assistantships to UTAR's postgraduate students to study at XMU. UTAR and XMU also discussed on the possibilities of having student and staff exchange programmes.

In addition, XMU expressed its ambitions to set up and coordinate a Confucius Institute centre at UTAR to train school teachers in the Chinese Language by using XMU teaching materials and teaching staff. Confucius Institute is a non-profit public institute, set up by the Chinese government, to promote Chinese Language and culture through the support of local teachers from mainland China in tutoring at affiliated Confucius Institutes worldwide.

Xiamen University was founded in 1921 with a total enrolment of over 35,000 full-time students on campus, including 20,195 undergraduates, 12,213 master students, 2,023 doctoral students, and over 1,200 international students. Xiamen University has a global perspective on education and has promoted international and regional academic exchanges and cooperation in numerous fields. Xiamen University collaborates with over 100 institutions of higher education at home and abroad.

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