MoU inked to promote academic collaboration

Prof Ewe (left) and Prof Jiang officially inked a MoU

UTAR officially inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Heze University (HZU), China at Sungai Long Campus on 15 November 2018.

Signing on behalf of UTAR was its Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat while HZU was represented by its President Prof Dr Jiang Tongsong and witnessed by College of Politics and Law Dean Wang Nianzhe.

Also present at the signing ceremony were HZU School of Teacher Education Dean Liu Chuanjin, College of Humanities and Communication Dean Prof Cao Jinxiang, UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Prof Ir Dr Goi Bok Min, Division of Programme Promotion Director Lee Choy Fong, Centre for Extension Education (CEE) Director Lim Guat Yen, Institute of Chinese Studies Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Dr Tee Boon Chuan, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Head of MBA/MBA (Corporate Governance) Programme Dr Pok Wei Fong, Faculty of Creative Industries Head of Multimedia Design and Animation Department Dr Yuen May Chan, CEE Business Development and Administration & Operation Unit Assistant Manager Vooi Wen Kei. The delegates from HZU were accompanied by Malaysia and China Education Development Association President-cum-Malaysia Haoyang International Education Group CEO Jacky Cheung.

The MoU aimed to develop cooperation projects of mutual interests, establish a combined training programme for cultural experience through winter and summer camp, and develop cooperation in teaching, research, books and magazines. It also aimed to seek for collaborations in terms of lecturers and students exchange programme besides seeking mutual recognition on credit transfer and academic cooperation.

Prof Jiang said, “This is our first visit to Malaysia and it feels good to be here at UTAR. I am certainly looking forward to collaborate with UTAR. I hope we can have a “2+2” students exchange programme. On top of that, I am also looking forward to the cooperation on the one-belt-one-road initiative to enhance the relationship between China and Malaysia.”

He then continued, “Our government in China hopes to expand the education system in HZU. They provided land for us in hope that we would collaborate more with external institutions to bring the best education resources to our country and enhance our education system. Hence, it would be our pleasure if we could collaborate with UTAR to establish a China-Malaysia university, to let more people from China know about UTAR. This could also increase the chances for UTAR lecturers to pay a visit to China and understand the culture of China. We can have a win-win situation.” He also hopes to further enhance the relationship between the countries by organising lecturer as well as student exchange programme.

Prof Ewe agreed with Prof Jiang and said, “Our MOHE allowed our undergraduate and postgraduate students to have 30% credit transfer. With our collaboration, there is a good possibility for HZU students to enhance their English gradually because our lectures are mostly conducted in English, so this can benefit the students who take part in the student exchange programme. The basic requirement for international students to take part in the exchange programme is to have a minimum requirement of 5.0 in IELTS. However, for those students who do not meet the minimum requirement, they can choose to enrol in the English programme which takes less than a year. Upon reaching the minimum requirement only can they further their Degree or Master programme.”

He then continued, “I believe, with this collaboration, we can further enhance our relationship and education system gradually. By scheduling our course subjects together, we can work out on the credit transfer. In the future, we might even send our lecturers to HZU for teaching programme. Our student may visit HZU and exchange knowledge with the lecturers for research projects.” Meanwhile, he also shared with the delegates about UTAR being appointed by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs P.R. China as one of its training units, and the advantage of UTAR graduates in seeking job opportunities.

A souvenir exchange ceremony between Prof Ewe and Prof Jiang took place. It was followed by a group photo session before the ceremony ended.

Prof Ewe (left) presenting the token of appreciation to Prof Jiang

Prof Jiang (right) presenting the souvenir to Prof Ewe

From left: Dr Yuen, Lee, Dr Tee, Lim, Prof Goi, Prof Ewe, Wang, Prof Jiang, Liu, Cao and Jacky Cheung

From left: Dr Yuen, Dr Pok, Dr Tee, Prof Goi, Lee, Lim, Prof Ewe, Prof Jiang, Jacky Cheung, Wang, Liu and Cao