An
inaugural MoU was signed with the Taiwan Central Library (TCL) followed by
the opening of the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies (TRCCS) at the
UTAR Perak Campus library on 29 November 2013.
Signed
by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato Dr Chuah Hean Teik and TCL
Director of International Cooperation Dr Liao Shiow Man, the MoU initiative
mirrors the University's pragmatic step forward to catalyse
internationalisation and to stimulate students' interests in the colourful
Taiwan arts, culture and studies.
Lending more significance to the event was the presence of UTAR Council
Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Representative of Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office Lo Yu-Chung who were there to witness the signing and the
auspicious opening of TRCCS which is a first in the University and also in
Malaysia. Other guests that were invited to grace the event included UTAR
Planning and Development Committee Advisor Tan Sri Hew See Tong and UTAR
Council Member Hew Fen Yee.
"Today's MoU signing ceremony and opening of the TRCCS are the highlights of
UTAR's collaborative activities under the Spotlight Taiwan Project which is
the effort of the Taipei Ministry of Culture to promote international
cultural exchanges and to cultivate a greater interest in and appreciation
of Taiwan culture worldwide," said Prof Chuah. "UTAR is thankful to be among
the first participant of this Spotlight Taiwan Project in Malaysia and we do
appreciate the opportunity to conduct workshops, training and talks on
Taiwan culture and activities to our students and the public. So far,
UTAR has already established collaborations with 28 Taiwan universities in
various areas such as student and staff exchange programmes, joint research
initiatives, educational tours and training. The set-up of this Taiwan
Resource Centre is a timely addition to UTAR's ongoing efforts to
collaboratively build a global resource and information platform to broaden
cultural and academic exchanges," he elaborated, and also thanked everyone
for their contribution, support and planning.
Dr
Liao also proceeded on the establishment of TRCCS. "In our effort to serve a
wider spectrum of Chinese Studies scholars to promote scholarly exchanges
throughout the world and to provide resources from Taiwan regarding Chinese
Studies as well as to heighten co-operation with Chinese Studies research
institutions in various countries, our Library has extended the scope of its
services by selecting important international universities and renowned
research institutes to co-establish the TRCCS," she said, and also added
that Resource Centres have also anchored in the US, Russia, England,
Germany, Latvia and Vietnam. UTAR is the first point of the TRCCS in
Malaysia.
"It is
my hope that the TRCCS will be a great success," said Lo. "The establishment
of the Resource Centre bears great significance as it helps to improve the
academic resources on Chinese Studies and also fosters academic ties amongst
international academics," he opined.
TCL
donated 581 titles and 634 copies of books and DVDs and the electronic
resources which allow search and full text access to rare books' image
search system and the Chinese rare books' catalogue.
Prof
Chuah and Dr Liao shaking hands after signing the MoU while Tun Dr Ling and
Lo look on
Prof
Chuah presenting tokens of appreciation to Dr Liao
Tun Dr Ling extending his appreciation to Lo
(From
left) Prof Chuah, Lo, Tun Dr Ling and Dr Liao cutting the ribbon to unveil
of the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies
Prof
Chuah, Lo and Tun Dr Ling admiring the newly established TRCCS
Tun Dr Ling thanking Dr Liao
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