A virtual memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held via Microsoft Teams between Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO) on 26 March 2021.

The signatories were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia Representative Anne Hung. It was witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang and TECO Director Economic Division James Chang Yuan-Chih. Mr Chern-Chyi Chen, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Taiwan, attended this ceremony as a special guest.

The signing of MoU between UTAR and TECO will lead to wider collaborative opportunities especially in the areas of exchanging recruitment information and opportunities among UTAR graduates and enterprises, and promoting talent exchange activities and projects that will widen both staff and students’ academic and career options.

Over the years, UTAR and TECO collaborated on research projects, trainings, talks, student and staff exchanges, study tours and cultural exchange programmes. Aside from that, UTAR and TECO have collaborated on several projects including the noteworthy Spotlight Taiwan project involving the sharing of culture and knowledge through talks, webinars, activities and conferences - all dedicated to educational and cross-cultural exchanges, industry participation and community involvement.

In his remarks, Prof Ewe said, “Our partnership has widened and expanded over the years since our first Spotlight project held in UTAR Sungai Long Campus in the year 2017. The Taiwan Spotlight project has been most successful in attracting students, industry partners and the community in various educational activities. UTAR’s collaboration with Taiwan is extended through its memorandum of understandings with 66 Taiwan universities and institutions. This MoU will further enhance our collaborative relationship and mutual exchanges.”

TECO Representative Anne Hung said, Taiwan is eager to build a world class talent pool to provide sufficient human resources for its industries and businesses. Malaysia’ abundant talents with multi-lingual abilities and digital skills meet Taiwan’s needs.  This MOU commits us to continue to work together more closely to facilitate the implementation of professional exchange and personnel matchmaking for the graduates from UTAR and Taiwanese companies.

Also present at the signing ceremony were MOEA Department of Investment Services Deputy Director General Victoria Hsieh who joined online from Taipei, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia Economic Division Secretary Samuel Ko; UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Faculty of Business and Finance Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan and Deputy Dean (Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes) Dr Hen Kai Wah, Division of Community and International Networking Director Associate Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi, Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations Director Ong Soo Weon and UTAR staff.