To
further enhance its network of research partners, UTAR signed a MoU with the
Socio-Economic Research Centre Sdn Bhd (SERC). The signing ceremony of the
UTAR-SERC MoU was held on 20 Jan 2014 at Wisma Chinese Chambers in Kuala
Lumpur.
The
signatories were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik
and SERC Chairman Dato' Lim Kok Cheong who is also the President of
Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).
Witnessing the signing were UTAR Vice-President for Internationalisation and
Academic Development Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Deputy President of ACCIM and
Director of SERC Dato' Ter Leong Yap.
In his
address, Prof Chuah said, "Today's MoU is the culmination of the working
relationship between UTAR and SERC and represents a win-win situation as the
outcomes of this collaboration will bring benefits to the community and the
nation." Prof Chuah elaborated that UTAR Faculty of Accounting and
Management (FAM) has participated in various activities of SERC such as
participation in the SERC Consultative Panel Discussions on Wholesale and
Retail Sector, TalentCorp, Minimum Wage and Mandatory Retirement Age for the
Private Sector and assisting SERC by research and providing write-ups on
important topics that affect the nation such as the accelerating cost of
energy in doing business and water shortage in the Klang Valley and
Putrajaya. FAM has also acted as rapporteurs on topics such as display
boards for verification of Tourism Licensing Workshop and tourism
sub-sectors which are revenue earners for the country.
Commenting on the synergistic collaboration, Dato' Lim Kok Cheong said,
"SERC and UTAR will achieve greater heights in presenting more valuable
proposals in the furtherance of the development and advancement of the
Malaysian economy." He expressed hope that the collaboration would provide
more fruitful discussions and continue to stimulate more intellectual
capital.
The
signing of the MoU with SERC will pave the way for further joint research on
high quality problem-oriented research on social, economic, financial and
business issues facing the business community at large, joint application
for research grants and the enhancement of research outputs arising from
joint research work & research publications. Equally beneficial to UTAR
students and staff will be the exposure, the wider networking and the
sharing of knowledge through the joint organisation of training, talks,
seminars and conference sessions.
The
collaboration will also include tapping into SERC's periodical technical
journals, newsletters and other publications to update on the latest
developments in various socio-economic issues as well as career prospects.
SERC
was officially launched in April 2011 and serves as the think-tank for
ACCIM. It is entrusted with a long term mission to undertake in-depth
research on socio-economic issues that impact the nation. SERC has already
organised a series of consultative panel discussion (CPD) to discuss various
socio-economic issues affecting Malaysian business community, submitted
relevant memorandums to the Government and in the provision of comprehensive
guidance and advice to members and the business community at large.
Fourth
from left, Prof Chuah shaking hands with Dato' Lim at the exchange of the
MoU document together with key representatives from UTAR and SERC
Dato' Lim presenting a souvenir to Prof Chuah flanked from the left by Dr Teh Chee Seng (UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations), Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Datuk Ter Leong Yap and secretary-general of ACCCIM cum Director of SERC Dato' Low Kok Chuan
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