Delegates from China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (CMQIP) and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (Guangxi) Investment Promotion Service Co., Ltd paid a visit to UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 15 October 2019.

The delegates were CMQIP Deputy Director Gong Weixin and Assistant Manager Zhao Ming Yuan; China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (Guangxi) Investment Promotion Service Co., Ltd Deputy Manager Zhang Ting and Xie Zongsheng. They were accompanied by China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (Guangxi) Future Ventures Management Co. Ltd Investment Manager Chen Jianan.

Welcoming them on the behalf of UTAR were Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Ir Dr Lim Jee Hock, FAM Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Dr Foo Meow Yee, LKC FES Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, and Faculty of Creative Industries lecturer Wong Chen Vun.

Also joining the meeting from Kampar Campus via video conference were Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Dean Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Yew King Tak, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Dr Tan Kok Tat, and Postgraduate Programmes Head Ts Dr Khor Siak Wang.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of the UTAR corporate video and the welcoming address of Dr Lai. In his remarks, Dr Lai discussed the concrete proposals to enhance the linkages between both institutions and talked about the issues of the proposed collaboration; while Zhang and Gong explained the overall progress of CMQIP and its main objectives. They also pointed out the importance of human resources in fulfilling the increasing market need. Among the important matters discussed at the meeting was Qinzhou internship programme, where UTAR students will be given the opportunity to do their internships at the local companies of China in order to gain international exposure as well as to enhance their skills for employability and career advancement.

The discussion then ended with a souvenir presentation and a group photography session. It was continued by a briefing on an internship programme for UTAR students, with the purpose to provide them with guidelines to apply for placement and to inquiry any internship-related matters.

Prior to this, a short meeting was conducted with the delegates in the morning, with the presence of Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang, Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre Chairperson-cum-Institute of Management and Leadership Development Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, Dr Lai, and Institute of Postgraduate Studies & Research Assistant Manager Tan Lee Teng. Several possible areas of collaboration such as postgraduate programme, dual degree and student exchanges were discussed at the meeting.