Back row, from left: Dr Sia, Prof Goi, Prof Choong, Ong, Jeffrey, Lai, Maureen and Chandra
Front row, from left: Prof Ewe, Prof Chuah, Phillip, Chew, Lu and Sally

UTAR signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs), one with Ital Auto and the other with MBSA Auto at Sungai Long Campus on 19 December 2016.

Ital Auto is a dealer of Ferrari and Maserati vehicles based in Shanghai, China, while MBSA Auto is a dealer of Mercedes-Benz based in Malaysia.

Signing the MoUs were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Ital Automotive (Shanghai) Co. Ltd Director and the MBSA Automotive Sdn Bhd Dealer Principal Philip Beng Kian Phee. They were witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Ital Automotive Vice-President Chew Chee Wee and MBSA Automotive Deputy General Manager Lu Haw Nguan.

Other guests present at the signing ceremony were MBSA Automotive After-Sales Manager R. Chandra Rajesh and Members of Board of Governor of Malaysian Association in the People’s Republic of China (MAPROC) Sally Hoong and Lai Kim Aun, Lai’s spouse Maureen Lai and Global Trading (SH) Pte Ltd Jeffrey Gan.

Representatives from UTAR included Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Prof Goi Bok Min, LKC FES Deputy Dean Dr Gulnaziya Issabayeva, LKC FES Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering Head Prof Ir Dr D. Rajkumar and UTAR Education Foundation Corporate Secretary Ong Whee Teong.

The MoUs will lead to future joint research collaborations, exchanges of ideas and facilities, and industrial attachments and mutual visits by staff members for curricular development, seminars, conferences and workshops. Besides that, industrial study visits by UTAR undergraduate and postgraduate students will take place to enhance learning experiences and professional development.

“These MoUs will enable our students to gain more exposure to new knowledge, cultures, experiences, and foreign government systems and skills that aid in their growth,” said Prof Chuah.

Beng gave an introduction on Ital Auto’s inception and remarked, “It is important for students to gain international exposure in order to easily adapt to the working environment. This is important as many companies increasingly experience the effects of globalisation which necessitates their employees to adapt to the changes as they progress.”

In conjunction with the MoU signing ceremony, a mock cheque presentation from the Board of Governor Malaysian Association in the People’s Republic of China (MAPROC) Representative Sally Hoong to Prof Chuah was held to honour the sponsorship of RM56,275.70. The purpose of the sponsorship aims to facilitate UTAR students in exchange programmes, internships programme and study tours to China.

A souvenir exchange between both parties took place before the event adjourned.

Prof Chuah and Beng with the signed documents as Prof Ewe and Chew look on

From left: Prof Ewe, Prof Chuah, Beng and Lu

The cheque presentation ceremony

Exchanging of souvenirs