Future teachers visit Kampar Campus

The visitors at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

A group of visitors from Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Ipoh visited UTAR Kampar Campus on 17 April 2019. The visit aimed to build rapport and promote mutual understanding between UTAR and IPG Ipoh as well as discussing opportunities for future collaboration between both institutions.

The visitors were IPG Ipoh Head of Department of Chinese Studies Lam Yat Chaw, Lecturer Ng Mei Ling and 40 Malay students, graduates of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language programme. They graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). They will be placed in the national primary schools as Chinese language teachers upon completing their Diploma Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah (DPLI) at IPG Ipoh.

The visitors were cordially welcomed by UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Head of Modern Chinese Literature Studies Unit Dr Lee Soo Chee and Division of Community and International Networking (DCinterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen I-chi.

Dr Chen explaining the job responsibilities of DCinterNet

Dr Chen addressed the guests and gave a brief introduction about UTAR and DCinterNet. She said, “Our division is mainly responsible for the community relations and international cooperation related to the University. We are looking forward to future possible collaborations and educational opportunities between UTAR and IPG Kampus Ipoh since we are geographically close.”

Lam encouraging the students to further their studies

Lam thanked UTAR for the arrangement and said, “I hope activities such as this will impress and encourag our students to enrich and improve themselves and motivate them to continue their postgraduate studies in the future. UTAR, with its good reputation, will be a good choice for the students to further their studies.” He also expressed his desire to carry out more specific cooperation in the future.

Dr Chen (middle) receiving a token appreciation from Lam (right) and Ng

Division of Programme Promotion Assistant Manager Tham Yeong Shyue introducing UTAR Postgraduate Studies

Dr Lee conducting a talk on “Lifelong Learning Ability”

Dr Lee conducted a talk on “Lifelong Learning Ability”. He discussed lifelong learning ability, academic qualifications and academic abilities, the misconception of students, knowledge (language) learning, lifelong learning goals, and how to implement 21st century language teaching in Malaysia’s primary schools.

He also shared the importance of lifelong learning using his personal study experience. He said, “In the future, illiteracy will no longer mean the same, which is an illiterate person, it would simply mean a person who does not learn. An academic qualification gives reference value and it reflects the learning process behind a person. But, the ability to carry out lifelong learning is more important than academic qualifications.”

He added, “The transfer of knowledge is important, but we must also teach students how to learn and help them to construct and develop their own learning skills, methods and abilities during the process of studying. Therefore, teachers must play a part to produce a creative curriculum and create a good learning environment builder to employ student-centred learning.” Later, he guided the students to recite a poem titled “Homesickness (乡愁)” by Yu Guangzhong. He discussed the rhyming, theme, background and appreciation for poetry.

Front row: Dr Lee (middle) with the visitors after the talk

Arina expressing her gratitude to UTAR for the arrangement

The student representative of IPG Kampus Ipoh, Arina Safwah binti Jailan said, “We are really impressed by Kampar Campus’ beautiful scenery, especially the buildings. Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik is so spectacular. It gives a similar impression of Beijing. Our visit here was truly fruitful and informative. We gained deeper insights into UTAR’s development and programmes. The informative talk by Dr Lee also benefited us a lot.” 

The visitors observing the rare fossilised timber displayed at UTAR Gallery

The visitors impressed by the Bronze Sculpture

A group photo at the Bronze Sculpture