UTAR signs MoU with SERC to boost research

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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