UTAR and Henan Institute of Technology (HIT), China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 27 July 2021 via DingTalk to initiate collaboration between both parties. UTAR was represented by its President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and HIT was represented by its President Prof Chen Bingyi. Witnessing the signing ceremony were UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang and HIT Vice President Prof Qi Xinbo.

With the signing of this MoU, UTAR and HIT will officially begin their strategic partnership to initiate joint research projects, share expertise, academic staff and student exchanges, study tours and visits, industrial placement opportunities as well as co-supervision of the postgraduate studies. Both institutes will work together in establishing international joint laboratories and research centres, as well as carrying out joint talent training such as cooperative undergraduate education projects, cooperative education mechanisms and dual degree projects.

The MoU also aimed to facilitate the academic staff of both parties for professional development, enhance the learning experience and jointly organise activities for academic purposes. The two parties will also work closely on organising joint short courses, seminars, talks, conferences and workshops. The MoU enables both parties to explore other projects based on the development and academic progress of the institution and work more closely in empowering both staff and students’ academic experience.

In his remarks, Prof Ewe encouraged students to participate in international exchange activities to broaden their international horizons and promote their self-growth. He said, “Through the MoU, UTAR and HIT will embark on the ‘Sino-foreign cooperation in education’ project to promote academic exchanges between both parties. According to this project, students from HIT will first attend a three-year course in HIT (China) before they continue their one-year study at UTAR, Malaysia.”

He added, “The collaboration between UTAR and HIT under this MoU is mainly focusing on the HIT School of Computer Science and Technology Department and UTAR Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT). I sincerely hope that in the near future, both parties can enhance efforts, carry out more cooperation and forge deeper and closer relations.”

On behalf of HIT, Prof Chen enthused, “We are looking forward to having more collaboration projects with UTAR. After the communication and negotiation of both parties in the early stage, I believe UTAR and HIT will take this signing of MoU as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in academic research and curriculum activities. Based on the resources and advantages of both institutes, I hope that we could carry out all-around practical collaboration in visiting and training, conducting scientific research, establishing academic platform as well as jointly organising intercultural exchanges programme.”

The opening remarks were followed by the introduction of faculty and school by UTAR FICT Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue and HIT School of Computer Science and Technology Deputy Dean Prof Di Wen Hui respectively. Also invited to speak at the virtual ceremony was C&L Education Group General Manager Wu Wei.

Also present at the online signing ceremony were HIT Admissions and Employment Division Director Prof Sun Rui (河南工学院招生就业处处长孙睿), HIT International Affairs Office Director Dr Li Jun Hui (河南工学院对外交流合作处处长李军辉博士), HIT Academic Affairs Office Director Assoc Prof Chu You Zhong (河南工学院教务处副处长褚有众副教授), HIT School of Computer Science and Technology Department of IoT Engineering Director Prof Lv Shu Bo (河南工学院计算机科学与技术学院 物联网工程教研室主任吕书波教授), HIT School of Computer Science and Technology Data Science and Big Data Technology Director Dr Zhu Ming Dong (河南工学院计算机科学与技术学院 数据科学与大数据技术教研室主任朱命冬), UTAR FICT Deputy Dean Ts Dr Cheng Wai Khuen, UTAR FICT Department of Computer and Communication Technology Head Ts Dr Vasaki Ponnusamy, UTAR FICT Department of Information Systems Head Assoc Prof Ts Dr Rehan Akbar, UTAR FICT Department of Computer Science Head Ts Dr Ooi Boon Yaik, UTAR FICT Postgraduate Programmes Head Ts Dr Khor Siak Wang, UTAR FICT Department of Computer and Communication Technology Ts Dr Gan Ming Lee, UTAR FICT Department of Computer and Communication Technology Dr Aun Yichiet, UTAR FICT Department of Computer and Communication Technology Dr Robithoh Annur, UTAR Division of Programme Promotion (DPP) Director Lee Choy Fong, UTAR DPP Deputy Director Irene Wong Hong Lei, UTAR Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and UTAR DCInterNet Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi.

Dr Liew shared that UTAR FICT was founded in the year 2002. It was one of the earliest faculties in UTAR. “Currently the FICT in UTAR consists of five undergraduate degree programmes, namely Computer Science, Information Systems Engineering, Business Information Systems, Computer Engineering, and Communications and Networking. For the postgraduate programmes, FICT provides a master’s degree and PhD for Computer Science. Besides that, UTAR was recognised by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) as a Premier Digital Tech University in 2019. According to MDEC, a Premier Digital Tech University is a preferred university when it comes to digital technology and IT courses for tertiary education.”

According to Prof Di, HIT School of Computer Science and Technology was named School of Computer Science back in 1984. “School of Computer Science and Technology in HIT is one of the earliest founded schools in Henan province. It covered programmes including Internet of Things engineering, software engineering, data science and big data technology, and digital media technology.”

Wu, in his speech, said, “I believe the collaboration between UTAR and HIT will benefit many Chinese students who wish to pursue their studies overseas. By furthering their studies overseas, students from both parties will acquire international advanced industry knowledge and improve the level of their academic qualifications. Last but not least, I hope this MoU will promote mutual understanding and cooperation that will lead to more interesting and mutually beneficial outcomes between universities in China and Malaysia.”