Delegates from Jiangsu Normal University (JSNU) visited Kampar Campus on 16 December 2019. The purpose of the visit was to expand international collaborations, explore collaborative opportunities and promote mutual understanding between both institutions.

The JSNU delegates included Vice President Prof Cai Guochun, Academic Affairs Office Deputy Director Prof Wang Ying, Planning and Development Office Director Prof Hu Rendong, School of History, Culture and Tourism Chair Qi Hong, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering Vice Dean Prof Li Yinwei, and International Office Secretary Chen Yang.

The delegates were cordially welcomed by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Deputy Dean Dr Lo Po Kim, FEGT Department of Electronic Engineering Head Assoc Prof Ir Dr Teh Peh Chiong, ICS Department of Chinese Studies Head Dr Toh Teong Chuan, Division of Community and International Networking Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi and Department of Soft Skills Competency Head Hee Chwen Yee.

Prof Choong in his address expressed his warmest welcome to the delegates and said, “UTAR and JSNU are close international partners, with strong collaborative ties since 2016. With assistance from JSNU, we set up the first Mencius Institute outside China at our Kampar Campus in the year 2016. It provided a platform for the keen learners to gain deeper insight into Chinese history, humanity and the essence of Chinese culture. Besides that, our student-exchange programmes have been quite frequent over the years, a group of our students, led by Dr Wong, has just completed a fruitful study tour from JSNU for Chinese language and cultural learning in September this year.”

Prof Cai thanked UTAR for the warm welcome and said, “This is my first time to visit UTAR Kampar Campus, a beautiful campus with natural scenery. We are looking forward to strengthening the partnership with UTAR, our close partner and also one of the reputable higher learning institutions in Malaysia.” He also shared the overview of the development of higher education in Jiangsu, history and development of JSNU, and said, “JSNU was a university renowned for nurturing teachers since its establishment, and now has transformed into a comprehensive higher education institution which offers major programmes in relevant fields, including education, Chinese language, biology, engineering, communication technology, business, statistics and jurisprudence, to name a few.”

Both parties also shared the highlight activities and programmes of both institutions, such as UTAR New Village Community Project, UTAR Soft Skills Development Certificate (USSDC), English Immersion Programme, while JSNU on their Master's Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, Chinese language and cultural learning and many more. They also discussed ideas to expand the scope of collaboration on staff and student exchanges, academic activities, joint cultivation of doctoral students, mutual recognition of credits, study tour and joint research.