Taiwan minister and universities call on UTAR

It was a convivial day at UTAR Perak Campus as an entourage of 12 Taiwan universities led by the Taiwan Minister of Education, Dr Chiang Wei-ling, made an unprecedented visit to the award-winning campus on 27 July 2013. 

The Minister-led visitors, who comprised Presidents, Vice Presidents, Chancellors and Vice Chancellors from both public and private institutions of higher learning in Taiwan, was cordially received by UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR Planning and Development Committee Tan Sri Hew See Tong, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee and UTAR Faculty Deans.

"We are truly honoured that despite your hectic schedule, Dr Chiang and all of you are still able to pay us a visit," said Prof Chuah who also mentioned that since Taiwan and Malaysia share the same culture, staff and students from both countries are expected to work closely by pooling their expertise and resources for future projects and collaborations.

Dr Chiang then shared that Taiwan has a total of 162 higher learning institutions and that there are plenty of room for collaborations between Malaysia and Taiwan. "Some of the universities here may have initiated projects with UTAR, while some are here for the first time. I hope that this first contact between UTAR and all the universities here will lead to a second, third or fourth contact which will subsequently spark some joint ventures," he added.

The Q&A session that followed enabled both parties to bilaterally discuss views and enquiries. It has helped to foster ties which would certainly augur well for future cooperative opportunities. The session was topped off with a souvenir presentation ceremony where mementos were exchanged between Tun Ling and Dr Chiang, and between Prof Chuah and the rest of the delegation members. The amiability shown by UTAR was best capped with this ancient Chinese saying:  有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎? (How happy we are, to meet acquaintances from afar!)

The visit concluded with a campus tour which left the distinguished guests in awe of UTAR Perak Campus' picturesque natural landscape and remarkable ultra-modern architecture. Universities in the entourage comprised Fo Guang University, Taiwan University of Education, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, TransWorld University, University System of Taiwan, National Taichung University of Education, I-Shou University, Yu Da University and Fu-Jen University. Accompanying the delegates were Taiwan Ministry of Education, Section Chief Liu Su-Miao and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia Director Chu To-Ming.

Delegates from UTAR and the 12 Taiwan Universities during the Q&A session

 Tun Ling (centre) presenting souvenir to Dr Chiang (left) while Prof Chuah looks on

The delegation having a look at bronze sculptures of Confucius and Einstein

The delegation and UTAR senior management staff posing for a group picture in front of Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik