Strengthening ties with UST

Prof Tzeng (left) and Prof Chuah signing the MoU documents

UTAR and the University System of Taiwan (UST) reached new heights in their partnership when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for a mutual credit recognition programme on 18 March 2017 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

Signing on behalf of UTAR was President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, while signing on behalf of UST was Chancellor Prof Dr Ovid J.L. Tzeng. Also present to witness the signing ceremony were UST Vice Chancellors Prof Chen Cheng-Chen and Dr Chyi Jen-Inn, UTAR Vice Presidents Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Institute of Postgraduate Studies Research Director Prof Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan,  Faculty of Creative Industries Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Division of Strategy Planning, Performance Monitoring and Audit Director Marchie Lim Pin Sim, Centre for Extension Education Director Lim Guat Yen, and Centre for Foundation Studies Sungai Long Campus Director Melissa Stefanie Netto.

In October 2016, both parties discussed the potential of having a dual master’s programme in Semiconductor Technology. Through the signing of this MoU, the discussed became reality, along with further offers of dual degree programmes, joint supervision, joint research as well as more UST-UTAR workshops in the near future.

Both parties have actively engaged in collaborative activities since the first MoU signed on 15 October 2013, which opened up great opportunities to initiate joint projects involving international collaborative research and the sharing of expertise; to facilitate academic development, including mutual visits by faculty members; to encourage academic innovation by cooperating in developing new teaching and learning technologies; and to organise or participate in joint academic activities such as conferences, publications and seminars.

To date, three UTAR-UST symposiums, namely “Stem Cell Research”, “Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on Climate Changes” and “Industrial Wastewater Treatment in Malaysia”, were successfully held in 2015 and 2016 which saw the attendance of 12 UST professors.

Apart from the successful symposiums, UTAR and UST are also actively looking into collaborations in a wide spectrum of research fields, where faculties have been sending their proposals for possible joint research activities to be conducted. 

From left: Prof Chen, Prof Tzeng, Prof Chuah and Dr Chyi after the MoU signing

From left: Guat Yen, Dr Sia, Prof Faidz, Prof Lee, Dr Chyi, Prof Chuah, Prof Tzeng, Prof Chen, Prof Ewe, Melissa, Marchie and Dr David Tneh