Prof Chuah (left) and Prof Xue exchanging the MoA

UTAR officially inked two memoranda of agreements (MoA) on Academic Staff Exchange and Student Exchange with Jiaying University (JYU), China at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 26 June 2019.

The MoAs aimed to facilitate and enhance academic cooperation between both universities. It also aimed to encourage mutual understanding, enhance the teaching and learning process and develop joint research projects in disciplines of mutual interest.

Signing on behalf of UTAR was its President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, while JYU was represented by its President Prof Yang Zhou. It was witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat and JYU Vice President Prof Xue Fang Cun.

Also present at the signing ceremony were JYU International Exchange and Cooperation Office Director Zhang Yangfen, Hakka Research College Vice Dean Song Dejian, International Exchange and Cooperation Office Wen Gangming, UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, Head of Contemporary China Studies Unit Dr Chin Chong Foh, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Acting Dean Dr Hen Kai Wah, Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chin Yee Mun, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and ScienceHead of Department for Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design Ts Tan Kok Hong, Head of Student Affairs Department (Sungai Long Campus) Loh Nyuk Leung, Manager Choong Yee Chin, Head of Department for Soft Skills and Competency (Sungai Long Campus) Fook Oi Yee.

Prof Chuah expressing his anticipation to collaborate with JYU

Prof Chuah welcomed the delegates and said, “I am excited about this collaboration with JYU. I hope this collaboration will not only focus on students’ exchange programme, but also on collaborative research. UTAR and Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine launched the China-Malaysia Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine at Sungai Long Campus. This is because we offer Traditional Chinese Medicine programme for our students. Hence, it would be great if we could have a collaboration on scholar exchange and further explore other collaboration areas.”

Prof Xue suggesting some potential areas of collaboration

Prof Xue, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to UTAR for receiving them with a warm welcome. He also suggested some potential areas of collaboration such as enabling JYU students to further their PhD and Master studies at UTAR and organising a lecturer and student exchange programme. “We wish to spread the Hakka culture and knowledge to everyone. I find that other than China, Malaysia is the best country in preserving the Chinese education,” said Prof Xue. Meanwhile, he also extended his invitation to Prof Chuah and UTAR lecturers to visit JYU someday.

In the mid of ceremony

A souvenir exchange session then took place between Prof Chuah and Prof Xue. It was followed by a photography session and a further discussion on lecturer and student exchange especially on Hakka research before the ceremony ended.

Previously, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 26 March 2018 between UTAR and JYU.

Some events with JYU in the past:

1. http://www.utar.edu.my/econtent_sub.jsp?fcatid=16&fcontentid=118407

2. http://www.utar.edu.my/econtent_sub.jsp?fcatid=16&fcontentid=106845

Prof Chuah (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Xue

Prof Xue (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Chuah

From left: Tan, Dr Chin Yee Mun, Dr Hen, Dr Chin Chong Foh, Dr Chong, Dr Lai, Prof Ewe, Prof Chuah, Prof Xue, Zhang, Song, Wen, Fook and Choong

UTAR, JYU ink pact for cultural exchange