MoU with CNI sealed

Prof Chuah (second from left) and Chew (second from right) exchanging the signed MoU documents while Dr Lim (left) and Soo (right) look on

An inaugural memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between UTAR and CNI Corporation Sdn Bhd at Kampar Campus on 2 May 2018 to formalise partnerships.

Signing the MoU were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and CNI Corporation Sdn Bhd Executive Director Chew Boon Swee. Also present at the signing ceremony were guests from CNI and its subsidiary such as Exclusive Mark (M) Sdn Bhd Executive Director Soo Wei Huey, CNI Venture Sdn Bhd Product Portfolio Head Taryn Teh Suling, CNI Venture Sdn Bhd Research and Development Manager Kong Swee Lan, Exclusive Mark (M) Sdn Bhd Quality Manager Lee Pei Yee and CNI Enterprise (M) Sdn Bhd Corporate Communication Assistant Manager Ng Chan Kong.

Guests from UTAR included Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Business and Finance Dean Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Division of Community and International Networking Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ir Dr Ng Choon Aun, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Prof Dr Leung Kar Hang, FSc Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Phoon Lee Quen, FSc Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Sit Nam Weng, Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar Campus) Deputy Director for Academic Lee Chee Heong, as well as FSc academics such as Dr Tan Gim Cheong, Dr Teh Lai Kuan, Dr Michelle Ng Yee Tan, Assoc Prof Dr Chai Tsun Thai, and Assoc Prof Dr Wong Fai Chu.

Welcoming CNI into UTAR’s MoU fraternity which spanned across educational institutions as well as industry players based locally or internationally, Prof Chuah added that the collaborative initiatives explored through the MoU will be mutually beneficial to both parties. “As a not-for-profit university by the people, for the people, UTAR’s role is not just to train students. We also believe that it is a must to support and collaborate with the industry to keep our syllabi relevant so as to understand the needs of the industries and also the new technologies which will affect the industry’s workforce,” explained Prof Chuah, who also expressed his delight that the MoU will give FSc opportunities to provide technical advice to CNI and the subsidiaries on their products, to conduct product efficacy studies and so on.

Prof Chuah explaining the importance of university-industry collaboration

Lauding UTAR as a prominent and progressive university with enormous achievements despite its young age, Chew said, “I’m honoured to be at the signing ceremony and also look forward to work with UTAR in bridging the gap between the university and the corporate sector.” Introducing CNI’s various accomplishments for over three decades as a leader in the direct selling industry, Chew added that the corporation has had a long-standing commitment as a guardian of market segmentation, and currently hyper segmentation. The Executive Director also mentioned CNI sees biotechnology as a driver to revolutionise healthcare potential to enhance the quality of life. With health foods and f&b contributing more than 75% of the corporation’s group sales, more efforts and resources will be given to grow the market in line with CNI’s corporate social responsibility of achieving sustainable product development through human capacity, technology transfer and the use of natural resources, thus the collaboration between the CNI and UTAR FSc. 

Chew wishing the MoU with UTAR every success

The ceremony reached its highlight with Prof Chuah and Chew signing and exchanging the MoU documents. Curtains were drawn after a group photograph and souvenir presentation session. 

Prof Chuah (left) and Chew signing the MoU documents to formalise the partnership between UTAR and CNI

From left: Dr Michelle Ng, Dr Phoon, Dr Lim, Prof Chuah, Chew, Soo, Teh, Kong and Pei Yee

Prof Chuah and Chew exchanging souvenirs 

Chew (right) presenting Prof Chuah a package containing CNI products

After the ceremony, the CNI delegation also toured the UTAR Gallery and also several attractions at the Kampar Campus.

Prof Chuah explaining to the guests some of UTAR Gallery’s exhibits and content of videos displayed

The guests learning about the significance of the Confucius-Einstein bronze sculptures

From left: Kong, Pei Yee, Teh, Chew, Prof Chuah and Soo with the Confucius-Einstein bronze sculptures

Prof Chuah and the guests admiring the beauty of the red bloodstone furniture set located at the University Garden

From left: Chew, Prof Chuah, Teh, Soo, Kong and Pei Yee at the University Garden

CNI is currently the latest addition to UTAR’s 300 over MoU partners ranging from industry corporations to institutions of higher learning. Such partnerships have been instrumental in materialising the University’s goal of achieving global status with societal impact through transforming lives and broadening horizons of students.

Established in 1989, CNI is a multinational and diversified corporation with a solid foundation in Asia. Its businesses span across the direct sales, manufacturing, product R&D, real estate, property development, resort management and development, and pharmaceutical industries. Over the years, CNI has established itself as a trusted brand with strong emphasis on quality assurance that stems from its vision and mission to continuously enrich people’s lives. Its products are supported by seven wholly owned, fully equipped GMP standard factories, R&D teams and facilities around the world. CNI also has over one million active network members.