Renewed pact reaffirms joint commitment to enhance collaboration

From left: Prof Ewe and Prof Xu with the signed documents

UTAR and Huaqiao University (HQU) renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Sungai Long Campus on 20 September 2019.

The MoU, which was first signed in 2012 followed by the second MoU in 2015, was built on the success of the original agreement which seeks to forge a stronger connection between the two institutions. It has been renewed this year for three years with the aim of ensuring continued cooperation in facilitating various forms of academic activities.

During the signing ceremony

Signing the MoU were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and HQU President Prof Xu Xipeng; while witnessing the ceremony were UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Dean Dr Chong Siou Wei and HQU the College of Chinese Language and Culture Education Vice Dean Prof Ji Xiusheng.

Also present at the signing ceremony were HQU Graduate School Vice Dean Li Lulan, Chief of Management Section of the Office for Chinese Language and Culture Education Xie Wei, HQU Malaysia Alumni Association Chairman Soo Yeow Guan, HQU Southern Malaysia Alumni Association Chairman Pey Hee Teck, UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Prof Ir Dr Goi Bok Min, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, LKC FES Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design Head Ts Tan Kok Hong, FAM Department of International Business Head Farah Waheeda binti Jalaludin, ICS Contemporary China Studies Unit Head Dr Chin Chong Foh, and Head of MBA/MBA (Corporate Governance) Programme Dr Ng Kar Yee.

Prof Ewe and Prof Xu delivering their speech at the ceremony

Delivering his speech, Prof Ewe said UTAR has actively collaborated with HQU since its first MoU in 2012. According to him, the collaboration activities in these few years such as student and staff exchanges, joint research projects and international conferences have maintained strong partnerships between these two institutions. “HQU’s former president Prof Jia Yimin visited UTAR in 2016. During the visit, we conducted in-depth exchanges and discussed potential cooperation. I truly believe that working more closely with HQU will help to promote the common goals of both sides, and better cope with the challenges of higher education,” he said.

Prof Xu, on the other hand, said that he was impressed by UTAR’s rapid growth in a short span of 17 years and its excellent achievement in the world university rankings. He commented that the signed MoU has established a strong foundation between the two institutions, which would pave the way for more collaboration opportunities. He also expressed his keenness to learn about UTAR and its partnerships and wished UTAR for continued success.

The talk ended with a souvenir exchange and group photography session, followed by a group discussion. The discussion was held to generate a more in-depth understanding of mutual interest and to explore potential joint collaboration.

From left: Dr Ng, Farah, Dr Chin, Ts Tan, Dr Lai, Dr Sia, Prof Goi, Dr Chong, Prof Ewe, Prof Xu, Prof Ji, Li, Xie, Soo, Pey

Prof Ewe (left) and Prof Xu exchanging souvenirs