Huawei to offer scholarships to UTARians

From left: Dr Liew, Prof Choong, You, Zhu, Prof Chuah, Prof Faidz, Tan and Gan

UTAR and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd strengthened their existing rapport following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) at UTAR Kampar Campus on 13 March 2019.

Underlining both parties’ commitment in an education sponsorship collaboration, the MoA was signed in conjunction with the Huawei Connected Campus 2019 recruitment event. The signatories from UTAR were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong; while signing on behalf of Huawei Technologies Malaysia was Huawei Southern Pacific Region Office’s Director of Talent Acquisition Zhu Rui (朱睿) and witnessed by Principal Human Resource (HR) Director of Regions Recruitment and Allocation Department from the Huawei Headquarters You Jin (游金).

Also present at the MoA signing ceremony were UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abdul Rahman, UTAR Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue, UTAR Division of Community and International Networking Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi, Huawei Southern Pacific Human Resource Department’s HR Manager for Talent Acquisition Derrick Gan Chyun Chi, and Huawei Southern Pacific Human Resource Department’s Talent Acquisition Specialist Jane Tan Lee Kuen.

Thanking Huawei for their unending support and contribution in the areas of information and communication technology (ICT) teaching and training, Prof Chuah also extended his gratitude to the Chinese tech giant for its new role as an education sponsor. “I’m glad to have one of our very good industry partners, Huawei, to come forth to sign this MoA to offer scholarships to UTAR students,” he announced. He further added that despite the University’s limited start-up fund during its nascent stage 17 years ago, UTAR, as a not-for-profit private university managed to rise above various challenges to be where it is now following the support given by the people from all walks of life as well as both federal and state governments back then. “The trust and support given by industry partners such as Huawei is also one of the reasons why we are here,” Prof Chuah mentioned, reassuring that UTAR will continue to be operated as a not-for-profit institution of higher learning offering scholarships to deserving students and keeping its fees affordable. The University President also took the opportunity to advise the students as well as potential scholarship recipients to be grateful. “Always be grateful, because gratitude gives one motivation to move on to greater heights,” he advised.

Prof Chuah pointing out that UTAR graduates are popularly sought after by Huawei due to their cultural intelligence, multi-linguistic abilities and diligence

Complimenting the UTAR graduates who are currently working with Huawei Technologies Malaysia for being outstanding, Zhu said that Huawei highly values its multi-faceted collaborations with reputable education institutions such as UTAR, which has produced countless talents essential to the country’s human capital growth. “In the past five years, we have established many initiatives such as the ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme which aims to develop ICT talents in the country. I’m really eager to see students from UTAR being selected as Malaysia’s representatives of outstanding young talents to participate in 2019’s programme,” he said. According to the Talent Acquisition Director, scholarship is also another important category in Huawei’s talent programme for Malaysia. “Huawei has decided to invest RM1.5million worth of scholarship in Malaysia’s top universities in the next five years, thus giving financial support to Malaysian students and even work opportunities with Huawei upon graduation,” Zhu revealed, adding that following Huawei’s intention to further expand its Malaysian talent development programme in 2019, the selected students will not only have the chances to work with Huawei Technologies Malaysia, but also enjoy the prospects of working in different countries where Huawei is located.

Zhu expressing his wish that more UTAR students will be a part of Huawei’s talent development programme

The ceremony reached its highlight following the official signing and exchange of the MoA documents, and ended after a group photo and souvenirs exchange session.

Prof Chuah (left) and Zhu sharing a light moment before the signing of the MoA documents

Signing of the MoA documents by Prof Chuah and Zhu, while Prof Choong (left) and You (right) look on

Prof Chuah (left) and Zhu signing the MoA documents

Prof Chuah (left) and Zhu exchanging the signed MoA documents and giving each other a firm handshake to signify a strong partnership between UTAR and Huawei Technologies Malaysia

Prof Chuah (right) and Zhu exchanging souvenirs

The affinity of UTAR and Huawei Technologies Malaysia dates back to June 2012 following the signing of the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) which further paved ways for various initiatives aiming to nurture ICT talents and produce industry-ready graduates. Such initiatives included the establishment of the Huawei University Teaching Laboratory at FICT as well as the collaboration on the “Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy” (HAINA). UTAR’s FICT has also been working closely with Huawei Technologies Malaysia for recruitment purpose as reflected by the latter’s regular presence in its annual Industrial Exposure Day.

Prior to the first signing of the MoU in 2012, Huawei had already sponsored and presented the prestigious MSC Malaysia Huawei Scholastic Awards to three UTAR graduates for their outstanding achievements in 2011. One of the students was also hired as a global service technical support engineer in Huawei Malaysia.

There are currently over 150 UTAR alumni serving in Huawei Technologies Malaysia.

Prof Chuah explaining to Zhu the UTAR Six Pillars of Education while Prof Choong (far right) and You (second from right) look on

Dr Chen (left) explaining UTAR’s many collaborative partners to You

From left: Zhu, Prof Choong, You, Prof Faidz, Dr Liew, and Dr Chen admiring a rare fossilised timber displayed at the UTAR Gallery