UTAR and Tianjin Chengjian University (TCU), China, signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) via Zoom on 3 December 2021 to forge long-lasting ties
with one another.
The signatories for the MoU were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and
TCU President Prof Li Zhongxian.
Prof Ewe
In his remarks, Prof Ewe enthused, “UTAR and TCU are like old friends.
We signed an MoU in 2016 and renewed
the MoU in November 2019. We had organised various forms of academic
activities. In 2017, UTAR students visited TCU under a study tour programme
to gain cultural experience. In return, TCU students also visited UTAR in
November 2017. In November 2018, 10 students and two lecturers from TCU came
to UTAR to participate in our ‘Malaysian Culture & Architectural Heritage
Study Tour’ organised by our Department of Student Affairs, Lee Kong Chian
Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Department of Architecture &
Sustainable Design and Centre of Sustainable Architecture.
Since then, we have been maintaining a strong partnership.”
He added, “I have always encouraged our lecturers and students to
participate in international exchange activities because this will help them
to broaden their international horizons and promote self-growth. Through
educational cooperation, students can benefit from the multicultural and
multi-context environment in addition to their academic knowledge in the
classroom, enriching their own life experience.”
Prof Li
Prof Li, on the other
hand, agreed with Prof Ewe and said, “I am very pleased that both parties
have achieved outstanding results in promoting cultural and academic
exchanges with each other. This has played an important role in promoting
the career development of the two universities, especially in talent
development. TCU attaches great importance to international exchanges and
cooperation and we have three important milestones achieved in the past five
years. The first milestone is the International School of Engineering (ISE)
which was jointly established by TCU with Bialystok University of Technology
and Cracow University of Technology of Poland. It is the first Sino-foreign
cooperative educational institution between China and Poland. It offers
undergraduate and master cooperative programmes in architecture, landscape
architecture, civil engineering and environmental engineering. The second
milestone is the undergraduate programme in engineering management which was
jointly organised with VIA University in Denmark. It is the first
Sino-foreign cooperative programme of TCU. Last but not least, a joint
cooperation with two other universities in Tianjin to establish our first
overseas educational project- Punjab Tianjin University of Technology at
Pakistan.”
He added, “UTAR is
our important partner in Malaysia and we attach great importance to this
cooperation with UTAR. I believe that today’s MoU signing ceremony is an
important milestone for us. I sincerely hope that the collaboration between
UTAR and TCU can further strengthen cooperation between both parties to
achieve positive results in the near future.”
Both Prof Ewe and Prof Li exchanged invitations for mutual visits.
Through this MoU, both parties
would exchange
their expertise in scientific research and specialists training, including
mutual cooperation in academic faculty and non-academic staff exchange,
initiating an invitation for visiting persons/groups, organising mutual
activities for promoting the partner university in the country of own
incorporation (including recruitment events) and collaborating in language
and cultural exchange activities. Aside from that, the MoU also aimed to
have mutual cooperation in student exchange for study and cultural
experiences as well as the exchange of study programmes and curriculum
development cooperation.
Also present at the virtual ceremony were TCU International Cooperation
Office Interim Director Assoc Prof Dr Wang Li, School of Architecture Dean
Prof Dr Wang Jianghua, International Cooperation Office Section Chiefs Deng
Linzi and Gao Jie, International Affairs of School of Architecture
Coordinator Wang Da, UTAR
LKC FES Dean Ir Prof Dr
Goi Bok Min, Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training
Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, Head of Department of Architecture and
Sustainable Design Ts Tan Kok Hong, Lecturer Ts Wong Yee Choong, Faculty of
Engineering and Green Technology Deputy Dean for Academic Development and
Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ir Dr Ng Choon Aun, Division of
Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn,
Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi,
Senior Assistant Managers Ong Yoon Furn, Chin Sau
Lai and Liu Dan and Assistant Manager Wang Yiling.
Prof Li (left) and Prof Ewe
A group photo to mark the end of the virtual signing ceremony
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