UTAR and Guangdong Cloud sign MoU to jointly set up AI Digital Home Research Lab

UTAR and Guangdong Cloud Lighting Information SCI&TECH Co. Ltd., China (Guangdong Cloud) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently to initiate collaboration with each other. The MoU was signed beforehand but the official ceremony took place on 17 June 2021 via ZOOM.

The signatories were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Guangdong Cloud General Manager Winson Wu Yongle. It was witnessed by UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Ts Prof Dr Faidz Abdul Rahman and Guangdong Woke Converge Communication Co. Ltd. General Manager Chen Feng.

The MoU aimed to initiate joint research and development (R&D) between both parties. It also aimed to jointly set up an AI Digital Home Research Lab which will be physically stationed at UTAR Sungai Long Campus and Foshan (Guangdong, China). The Research Lab will focus on R&D in Artificial Intelligence, Smart City, Smart Home products and technologies as well as the commercialisation of these R&D products.

Apart from the research, the two parties will also work closely on organising joint short courses, seminars, talks, conferences and workshops besides facilitating the industrial placement of UTAR students under internship. Through the MoU, both parties wish to foster industry-academic cooperation through collaborative projects, industry advisory activities, industrial visits, curriculum development, and training and consultancy.

Prof Ewe (left photo) and Winson Wu (right photo, middle)

Prof Ewe said, “It is an honour to collaborate with Guangdong Cloud to establish a research laboratory together. I have learned from Ir Dr Chang Yoong Choon, our Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering that he has further explored for potential collaboration with Guangdong Cloud as well. I sincerely hope that in the near future, both parties can enhance efforts, carry out more cooperation, and forge deeper and closer relations.” He also mentioned that the company is a pioneer in cloud lighting and that it will have a long-term impact that will benefit the world.

Winson Wu said, “Our Company was founded in 1997. Until now, it has a history of more than 20 years. We are in the process of setting up a smart home and smart city application. Our cooperation with UTAR was due to an accidental opportunity that occurred five years ago. We have been keeping in touch, discussing the possible collaborations between both parties. Since two years ago, discussions with Dr Chang have given rise to this opportunity for us to jointly set up a Research Lab to improve and enhance our technology and application. I look forward to having some positive results in the near future.” Meanwhile, he also extended his invitation to Prof Ewe and fellow colleagues to visit Guangdong province one day.

Also present at the online ceremony were VEE International Berhad Director Pierre Gan, Guangdong Cloud Sales Engineer Zhong Jiajie (钟嘉杰), Guangdong Cloud Staff, UTAR LKC FES Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Dr Chang, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, Senior Assistant Manager Ong Yoon Furn and Loi Sien Mun.

Group photography session after the MoU event