Prof Li (left) and Prof Chuah with the signed agreements
UTAR and Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU) officially inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Kampar Campus on 18 November 2016.
The MoU will see UTAR and TCU exploring a wide spectrum of areas including collaboration on teaching and research, student and staff exchange, and programme development.
Signing on behalf of the parties were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and TCU President Prof Li Zhongxian.
Delegates from TCU present at the ceremony were Dean for Academic Affairs Office Prof Mao Cui, Vice Dean for School of Civil Engineering Prof Yang Aiwu, School of Economics and Management Assoc Prof Dr Wang Xiao and Section Chief of International Cooperation Office Wang Li; while the delegates from Brunsfield International Group were Director of Human Resources Goh Siew Chin, President of Brunsfield America Vincent Lim and Senior Manager of International Business Shirley Tan.
Also present at the ceremony were UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Director of Institute of Management and Leadership Development and Division of Community and International Networking Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Dean Assoc Prof Dr Liew Soung Yue, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Dr Ng Choon Aun, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Lai Soon Onn, Faculty of Business and Finance Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Peter Tan Sin Howe and UTAR staff.
Prof Chuah expressed his warm welcome to the delegates and gave a brief introduction of UTAR, Malaysia’s education system and the emphasis on education by the Chinese community in Malaysia. He said, “It is worth mentioning that UTAR is a not-for-profit and comprehensive university with affordable tuition fees whose growth was contributed by the community.” He added, “In recent years, the relations between Malaysia and China have become closer under The Belt and Road Initiative. Thus far, we have 33 higher education institutions from mainland China among our 230 collaborative partners.”
He also conveyed his gratitude to Brunsfield for bringing together UTAR and TCU. “I would like to send my gratitude to Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Ir Gan Thian Leong for the support and sponsorship to UTAR throughout the years. Brunsfield sponsored the endowed chair in Civil Engineering, bringing us new technologies to conduct research and development activities, and introduced us to potential collaborative partners.”
Impressed by the Kampar Campus’ beautiful scenery and UTAR’s rapid growth in a mere 14 years since its inception, Prof Li said, “I believe the success of UTAR is the culmination of the continuous efforts of UTAR staff and students, and is a model of educational excellence.”
He also gave a brief introduction about Tianjin, TCU and its programmes during the ceremony. He said, “TCU and UTAR offer similar programmes, such as Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Material Engineering, Business and Finance. Our visit to UTAR lays the cornerstone of our understanding of Malaysia’s educational landscape and the institutions that serve its people. We dearly cherish it and look forward to working closely with UTAR.”
Prof Chuah (left) and Prof Li delivering their remarks
The ceremony reached its highlight with the signatories being invited to sign the documents and subsequently ended with a souvenir presentation session.
From left: Wang, Prof Yang, Goh, Lim, Prof Mao, Prof Li, Prof Chuah, Prof Lee, Prof Choong, Tan and Dr Wang
Souvenir exchange between both parties
The ceremony was followed by a discussion on collaboration attended by the delegates and representatives from UTAR faculties.
The discussion on potential collaborations chaired by Prof Chuah and Prof Li
Prof Chuah introducing the history of UTAR to Prof Li and Lim
Prof Cheng (third from right) explaining the layout of UTAR Kampar Campus
The delegates at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik during the campus tour
Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU), founded in 1978, is a regular university under the administration of the Tianjin Municipal Government. In order to serve the urbanisation and urban modernisation of China, TCU has constructed a mutually supportive development disciplinary system, consisting of six discipline groups, namely urban planning and architecture, urban construction, urban ecology and environment, urban economics and management, digital city, and urban culture.
Brunsfield International Group, founded in 1990, is recognised as a premier global property development and real estate investment and management group. Brunsfield Professor of Civil Engineering endowed chair was set up at the UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science on 18 March 2010 to conduct research and development activities in civil engineering.
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