Tan Sri Hew (second from right) and delegates from JYU (from left) Wen, Song, Zhang and Xue at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

Delegates from Jiaying University (JYU), China visited UTAR Kampar Campus on 27 June 2019. Visiting on behalf of JYU were Vice President Xue Fangcun, Hakka Research College Vice Dean Song Dejian, International Exchange and Cooperation Office Director Zhang Yangfen and Section Chief Wen Gangming.

Receiving the delegates were UTAR Planning and Development Committee Advisor Tan Sri Hew See Tong, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin, Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Dr Ling Liong Ngo, Postgraduate Programmes Head Dr Wong Lih Lih and Modern Chinese Literature Studies Unit Head Dr Lee Soo Chee.

The delegates visited UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 26 June 2019 for the signing of Memorandum of Agreements (MoA) on Academic Staff Exchange and Student Exchange between UTAR and JYU. The MoAs aimed to facilitate and enhance academic cooperation, encourage mutual understanding, enhance the teaching and learning process and develop joint research projects in disciplines of mutual interest between both universities.

Dr Wong introducing research on Hakka Studies in ICS

The meeting commenced with Dr Wong’s welcome address in which he introduced the Hakka community and its population in Malaysia, UTAR’s ICS, Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) and research on Hakka Studies. He said, “The Hakka community is the second-largest dialect group within the Malaysian Chinese community. Therefore, the Hakka community occupies an important place in the history of Malaysian Chinese. There are five units in CCS and Hakka Studies is parked under the Minan Cultural Studies Unit. Even though we do not have an independent unit for Hakka Studies, many of our academics are involved in Hakka Studies, one of which is our Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei. The academics are not only doing their own research but they also provide mentorship and guidance to undergraduate and postgraduate students on researches related to Hakka Studies. Our research on Hakka Studies are very diverse. They include research on Hakka leaders, tin miners, religion, culture, clan associations, schools, business and many more.

He added, “We have just launched a book titled ‘The Hometown Complex and Local Participation: A Case Study on the Ipoh Tin Miner Lee Kwee Foh’ («??????????:????????????????») early this month during the 68th Annual General Meeting of Federation of Ka Yin Chu Associations of Malaysia. The publication is our first outcome of the Hakka Ka Yin clan’s research series and is supported by the Federation of Ka Yin Chu Associations of Malaysia.” The book is co-authored by Dr Wong and ICS alumna Chan Hui Cheng.

Impressed by UTAR ICS’s reputation in Hakka research in Malaysia and also the diverse topics of the research done by the ICS students, Xue said, “From Dr Wong’s sharing, we found that the research topics of the ICS students are interesting, particularly the one that compares The Book of Songs («??»), an ancient Chinese classic of poetry, with Hakka folk songs.” He is looking forward to beneficial cooperation and collaboration between both universities.

Song gave a brief introduction on JYU Hakka Research College and said, “JYU Hakka Research College is the first Hakka Research College in China and has been selected as the key research base for Humanities Science in Guangdong Province. The research on Hakka Studies conducted by our Hakka Research College and ICS is both different and similar. However, there will be more room for development in the future since Hakka research has unlimited possibilities.” He also shared about publications and significant activities conducted by the Hakka Research College.

The meeting continued with discussion related to joint research, resources sharing, publication, research experience sharing, joint supervision of postgraduate programmes, credit transfer, recognition from the Ministry of Education, student and academic exchange and many more.

Dr Wong (third from left) presenting a book on Hakka research, published by ICS, to Xue (fourth from right) while Tan Sri Hew (fourth from left) and other ICS members look on

UTAR and JYU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the year 2018. The two universities have since maintained a strong partnership through various forms of academic activities such as academic and student exchange, research activities, credit recognition, research and inheritance of Hakka culture and postgraduate studies.

Fruitful exchange with JYU on Hakka research