New Village Collaborative Project with UST and NCTU

The guests and participants

The New Village Collaborative Project between UTAR and the University System of Taiwan (UST) made a comeback following last year’s successful joint venture focusing on new villages and aboriginal villages in Pahang.

This year, the UST team led by Assoc Prof Dr Lo Lieh-Shih was also joined by another National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) team, under the “Field Trips and Travel Studies” (异地教学) initiative led by Assoc Prof Dr Shu Wei-Der and also Dr Lo. The UST team comprising 11 Taiwanese students focused on new villages in Kampar’s Sungai Siput Selatan, whereas the NCTU team comprising 15 students concentrated on the history of Kampar’s old town and its surrounding multiracial community.

Both teams were cordially received by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Institute of Chinese Studies Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin, and Head of Department of Soft Skills Competency for Kampar Campus Hee Chwen Yee at the opening ceremony held on 22 July 2016 at Kampar Campus.

Also invited to the ceremony was Deputy Director of Kinta Tin Mining (Gravel Pump) Museum Chew Sin Long, who briefly introduced the various places of interests in Sungai Siput Selatan, the people’s livelihoods, and also the potential of improving the visibility of the quaint new village.

As an accompanying project supervisor from UTAR, Dr Wong also highlighted the reason Kampar and Sungai Siput Selatan were selected for research and study purposes. “Malaysia is undoubtedly rich in terms of historical context, and the historied Kinta Valley is part of this richness. Previously, we’ve carried out research and field trips on Gopeng. This time around, the focus will be on Kampar, specifically the Sungai Siput Selatan new villages and also Kampar old town, allowing us to have a more in-depth study on these two places,” he told.

Delighted by the strong ties between UTAR and UST which have sparked continuous collaborative projects, Prof Choong said, “As UTAR aspires to be a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact, it is important to be working closely with partners from all over the world. The collaboration with UST and NCTU has certainly helped UTAR in reaching its vision.” He also proceeded to thank UST and NCTU for the collaboration opportunity as the mutually beneficial working relationship benefits not only the students, but also the communities nearby.

Clock-wise from top left: Chew, Dr Wong and Prof Choong

Dr Lo and Dr Shu also stated that it is an honour to be working closely with UTAR on community engagement projects as such. “It’s always heartening to share the same passion with a group of enthusiastic students and lecturers who make work more enjoyable, enriching and endearing. It is only with mutual interest and support from the locals that we are able to produce favourable results and newfound ideas which will be highly beneficial for posterity, which in this context is how we can prevent the disappearance of new villages due to an ageing population, and also induce others to remember the past history of an old town which was once colourful and meaningful.”

Prof Choong (middle) presenting a token of appreciation to Dr Shu while Dr Wong looks on

Prof Choong received a souvenir from Dr Lo

During their three-week long stay, both teams managed to accomplish their projects under the guidance and support of the project supervisors and community leaders. An added bonus to them was the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local cultures through field trips, food sampling and other activities.

NCTU Group Leader Huang Yuwen was delighted to be involved in research on the history of Kampar’s old town. “Cultural anthropology and the humanities have always been my favourite study areas. Hence, it was an insightful trip to me as I got to learn about Kampar’s past history which showed that multiculturalism has been in existence since long ago. This is evident through the co-existence of Chinese temples, Sikh Gurdwaras, chapels, churches, Hindu temples, and mosques,” the postgraduate student added.

The UST group, on the other hand, successfully launched a series of community engagement projects involving primary school children, while also engaging social media as a means to improve the visibility of these aging new villages by introducing them to Malaysians and the world.

Outdoor activities at Sungai Siput Selatan

UST students with primary school children

Serving food to the school children

During the closing ceremony on 7 August 2016 at Sungai Siput Selatan, UST Group Leader Lo Fang Yi said that he was humbled by the experience of working on this project which will benefit the community in the long term. “Most of us were not acquainted with one another prior to this. However, this new village project has managed to bring us together as a big family. It feels rewarding to come together as a team and brainstorm ideas, thinking how best to tap into the potential of Sungai Siput Selatan and introduce to others its beauty and its people, and in turn rekindle the love of the people who were born here but are currently residing elsewhere,” Lo mentioned.

Echoing Lo’s sentiment was UTAR student representative Yim Jian Nam, who was one of the UTAR students who worked alongside the UST team in the project. “Coming together is the beginning and working together results in success. We’ve had so much fun learning and working together as a team that we’re like one big happy family. This New Village Collaborative Project has certainly broadened my horizon and encouraged me to participate more in such activities as it’s also a platform for me to network with people from different backgrounds,” shared the Final Year Biomedical Science student.

Lo (left) and Yim sharing their experiences

Representing UTAR President at the closing ceremony was Dean of UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dr Yap Vooi Voon, who said in his speech, “UTAR is a not-for-profit private university with the core principle of ‘by the people, for the people’. The establishment of this university was made possible due to the trust and support from society. Therefore, UTAR’s success today is very closely linked with the community and it is due to this fact that is why the benefit and wellbeing of the community have always been at the heart of UTAR. Acts of outreach to the community, engaging with them and servicing them have always been an important aspect of UTAR’s holistic education.” He added that the New Village Collaborative Project is one of the many initiatives by UTAR to bring itself closer to the community.

Dr Yap presenting a certificate of participation during the closing ceremony

UTAR and UST students with the guests and villagers

Curtains were officially drawn for the three-week project following a souvenir and certificate presentation ceremony and group photograph session.

UST consists of four institutions of higher learning from Taiwan, namely National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), National Tsing Hua University, National Central University, and National Yang Ming University. Both UTAR and UST have been working closely the last several years on several projects ranging from academic projects to community betterment.