Visit by Education Bureau of Guizhou

Dai (Front row, fourth from left) and Prof Chuah (Front row, fourth from right) with delegates from Education Bureau of Guizhou Provincial Government and UTAR

Delegates from the Education Bureau of Guizhou Provincial Government visited UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 14 January 2016. On behalf of the education bureau were its Deputy Director Dai Qiping, Director of Technology and Postgraduate Studies Department Xiong Xiong, and Director of Higher Education Department Qiu Jangtao.

The visitors from China’s Guizhou province also consisted of representatives from Guizhou higher learning institutions: Tongren University President Prof Hou Changlin, Guiyang University Vice-President Prof Jiao Yan, and Guizhou Nationalities University Vice-President Prof Wei Wei. They were accompanied by China (Guizhou)-Malaysia Education Service Centre Head Liu Shujuan and Malaysia Chinese Association People’s Republic of China Affairs Committee Deputy Secretary General Low Joo Hiap.

The delegates were welcomed by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Vice-President for R&D and Commercialisation Ir Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Ir Prof Goi Bok Min, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Faculty of Creative Industries Dean Chin Yee Mun, Institute of Management and Leadership Development Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, Division of Community and International Networking Director Dr Tan Sin Leng, Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations Director Ong Soo Woen, Institute of Chinese Studies Deputy Dean Dr Tee Boon Chuan, FAM Deputy Deans Dr Chong Shyue Chuan and Dr Kevin Low Lock Teng, and FAM Head of Programme Dr Pok Wei Fong.

The objectives of the visit were to inform UTAR about research and educational development in Guizhou province, as well as the forthcoming China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week. The visit was also set to foster mutual ties with UTAR through discussions on its founding history, academic features, and development as a non-for-profit university. In view of boosting international academic exchange, it was also held to explore prospective opportunities for exchange programmes, joint research, and postgraduate studies. Besides, Dai officially invited Prof Chuah to attend the Ninth China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week as an initiative to boost effective collaborations with UTAR.

Dai said, “There are many scholarships for foreign students to encourage them to further study in Guizhou province. The province is very rich in cultural heritage and is traditionally inhabited by many minority groups. We welcome more Malaysian students to visit and explore the multi-ethnic society, and such unique diversity in Guizhou could also be an interesting area for future joint research collaborations.”

“UTAR always seeks to provide quality education to our students from multiple aspects through exchange programmes to broaden their global perspectives and to learn from international peers. This year, we target to expand the international learning platforms by mobilising one thousand students inbound and outbound, respectively,” Prof Chuah announced.

In conjunction with the visit, UTAR signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Tongren University, Guiyang University, and Guizhou Nationalities University. The signing of MoUs marked the beginning of closer ties between UTAR with the three universities to further discuss and materialise collaborative opportunities such as students and staff exchange programmes, visits, study tours, and seminars.

MoU signed with Tongren University

MoU signed with Guiyang University

MoU signed with Guizhou Nationalities University