Guangxi-Malaysia Higher Education Collaboration Forum

Group photo session after the opening ceremony

An international forum witnessing the collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) and Guangxi Education Department (GED) of Ministry of Education, China was held in Sungai Long Campus on 11 May 2018.

“This forum aimed to bring together esteemed researchers and academics with specialisation from various fields ranging from education, environmental sciences and Chinese medicine to medical, electrical and electronic engineering,” said UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik during his opening remarks.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Director General of Department of Higher Education Datin Paduka Ir Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Inspector-General of GED Prof Tang YaoHua, MOHE Director of Excellence Planning Division Prof Dr Raha binti Haji Abdul Rahim, GED Director of Science, Technology and Information Mr Huang Qing Yun, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat, academics and researchers from local and China universities and UTAR staff.

The local delegates were from Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and UTAR. Meanwhile, the China delegates were from Guangxi University, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin University of Electronic Technology and Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine.

Prof Chuah delivering his opening speech

The forum was highly endorsed by GED. Prof Tang during his opening speech said, “To make this event a reality, GED accepted the proposal as soon as possible. I also did a video conferencing with Director General of MOHE at the end of November 2017. Since then, constant communication remained between GED and MOHE.”

“I believe that this can be a new model for students and staff exchanges and interschool visits between Guangxi and Malaysia. In recent years, Guangxi sent more than 200 students to Malaysia while welcoming equal numbers of Malaysian students to Guangxi,” he said while emphasizing the good relationship between GED and MOHE.

Prof Tang during his opening speech

Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah delivering her opening speech

“The purpose of this forum is for us to work together, learn from each other and enhance the congressional opportunities. It is hoped that the findings from the forum will spearhead further activities that would fulfil the needs of Malaysian and Chinese universities ultimately the society and community in both countries,” said Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah.

“MOHE has been showing interest in establishing another collaboration partnership with GED. The collaboration will see benefits for lecturers and students from both countries. We hope through this initiative, the number of post-doctoral programme and students will increase,” she added.

The forum began with a keynote speech from Prof Raha and Prof Tang.

According to Prof Raha, Malaysian lecturers have collaborated with a total of 186 countries among 195 countries in the world.

Prof Raha giving her keynote speech

In his keynote speech, Prof Tang also gave an introduction to Guangxi including its geographical location, development and achievements made by Guangxi society and higher education. He mentioned that the friendship between Guangxi and Malaysia will be renewed and collaboration between the two sides will be rebuilt through this programme. He then narrowed down on the future higher education collaboration between Guangxi and Malaysia.

The forum was followed by three hours of intensive discussion among the academicians and researchers.

Discussion session

Before the forum concluded, academicians and researchers shared their discussion and outcomes for future joint collaborations. Some highlighted outcomes were dual degree mutual recognition initiative where degree certificate from UTAR can be used to apply for Chinese Medicine Practicing Certificate, encourage joint supervision of postgraduate students and paper publications, suggestion to organise another round of forum within this year, a special visit to Guangxi Normal University for innovative teaching and learning, and collaboration opportunity on satellite navigation and location services.

Head of Masters in Electronic Systems and Electrical Programme Dr Shee Yu Gang presenting his discussion

In support of dual degree arrangement between Malaysia and China, Prof Lee said, “Government fully supports dual degree arrangement between Malaysia and China. I believe some universities including UTAR are already implementing dual degree arrangement with foreign universities. Therefore the same framework can be applied.”

Prof Lee during the closing ceremony

Prof Tang hopes that academics and researchers from the various fields will cherish the opportunity to communicate sincerely and fully express their opinions through which he hopes collaboration agreement or consensus direction can be reached.