Visit by CELAP

CELAP delegates with UTAR staff

UTAR cordially welcomed delegates from the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong (CELAP) at the Sungai Long Campus on 31 October 2016. The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities for collaboration and to pave the way for a closer working relationship.

The delegates from CELAP consisted of General Office Director-General-cum-Member of CELAP Executive Committee Prof Zhang Shengxin, General Office Deputy Director Assoc Prof Shi Zuliu, Department of Information and Technology Director Dr Wang Zhiheng, Department of International Exchange Deputy Director Ding Jingfeng, Department of Teaching Affairs Deputy Director Weng Yanjuan, and Department of Training Deputy Director Wu Hanqing.

On hand to welcome them were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Division of Community and International Networking Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Prof Ir Dr Goi Bok Min, LKC FES Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Yong Thian Khok, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Dean Assoc Prof Dr Liew Soung Yue, Faculty of Creative Industries Dean Dr Chin Yee Mun, Institute of Chinese Studies Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Tee Boon Chuan, Faculty of Arts and Social Science Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Lee Lai Meng, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Peter Tan Sin Howe, and FBF Head of MBA (Corporate Management) programme Dr Ng Lee Peng.

The meeting commenced with a presentation of the UTAR corporate video and Prof Chuah’s welcoming address. Prof Chuah remarked, “UTAR’s Institute of Management and Leadership Development (IMLD) is the first and only institute in Malaysia recognised by China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) to design and conduct training programmes for Chinese business leaders and government officials. I believe UTAR is able to conduct quality trainings and programmes for our overseas partners. Besides that, under The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st century Maritime Silk Road, also known as One Belt, One Road, we hope to promote the recognition of dual-degree programmes or joint degree programmes. The younger generations have to expand their networking globally in order to be more outstanding in this competitive world.”

Prof Zhang thanked UTAR for the warm reception and said, “UTAR and CELAP are both young universities, and both shared similar visions and missions. Recently, CELAP professors were also invited to conduct classes and trainings in UTAR. This has shown the close partnership between CELAP and UTAR. I hope we will be able to further develop our relationship in research and collaboration together.”

CELAP is a Shanghai-based institution, funded by the central government and supervised by the Organisation Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. CELAP aims to conduct training for senior leaders from the government and top executives from the business community.

The visit ended with a campus tour.

Prof Chuah (left) and Prof Zhang exchanging souvenirs

Prof Goi (right) leading CELAP delegates to visit engineering labs 

CELAP delegates visiting the Mary KUOK Pick Hoo Library