A group of delegates from the Education Department of Henan Province (GRID) and universities from Henan, China paid a visit to UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 14 January 2020.

Led by Foreign Cooperation and Communication Office of the Education Department of Henan Province Deputy Director Cai Hong, the delegates included Henan Polytechnic University (HPU) International Education College Vice-dean Wang Xinjian, HPU International Education College Academic Affairs Officer Yang Yanzhi; North China University of Water Resource and Electric Power International Education College Vice-dean Liu Guihua; Anyang Normal University International Communication and Education College Vice-dean Wang Zhiming, International Cooperation and Communication Center Officer Liu Lin; HuangHuai University International Education College Dean Wang Weihua, International Cooperation and Communication Department Teacher Wang Chunli; International Education College Zhengzhou Sias University Vice-dean Wang Jing; Xinxiang Medical University Sanquan Medical College Dean Wu Shikun, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sanquan Medical College Officer Fan Yongbing and Teacher Ma Jia; International Communication and Cooperation Ministry of Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute Deputy Director Ji Yao and Section Chief Wan Bo; Zhengzhou Railway Vocational & Technical College Europe-Asia Jiaotong Vice-dean Luo Kun,  Research and Foreign Affairs Management Division Section Chief Wang Xin; Henan Communication Vocational Technology College Research and Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Wei and Teacher Chen Libo; Henan Polytechnic Institute Technology and Foreign Affairs Office Director Shi Zengfang, Recruitment and Employment Division Wu Nan; and the Education Department of Henan Province Foreign Cooperation and Communication Office Section Chief Zou Tao.

Welcoming them on behalf of UTAR were its President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, LKC FES Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Centre for Extension Education Director Ir Dr Lim Jee Hock, Department of Student Affairs of Sungai Long Campus Head Loh Nyuk Leung, Department of Soft Skills Competency of Sungai Long Campus Head Fook Oi Yee, Division of Programme Promotion Deputy Director of International Student Recruitment and Business Development Irene Wong Hong Lei and Assistant Manager Yong Chin Yi, and Institute of Postgraduate Studies & Research Assistant Manager Tan Lee Teng.

Prof Ewe extended his warm welcome to the delegates and introduced the history of UTAR, its faculty, and the development of educational internationalisation, particularly the collaboration with institutions from China. According to him, UTAR has currently more than 70 partners from China and the University is the only oversea training cooperative organisation authorised by China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs in Malaysia. Highlighting the importance of exchange, he said, “Any long-term cooperation requires two-way communication. We always encourage our students to go abroad and expand their horizons.”

On the other hand, Cai expressed her gratitude to UTAR for its warm and gracious hospitality. She gave a brief introduction about Henan province and its universities. She explained that Henan has a large population with a total population of more than 100 million, therefore students experience greater levels of academic stress. She said it was important for schools to gradually expand and go overseas. She also expressed her pleasure to visit UTAR and she hoped to further enhance communication to promote mutual understanding.

The visit ended with a souvenir exchange between Prof Ewe and Cai, followed by a group photography session.