MACEE visits UTAR to foster collaboration

A group of delegates from the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) paid a visit to UTAR Kampar Campus on 18 March 2022. The delegates consisted of MACEE Executive Director Curtis Johnson and MACEE Senior Programme Manager-cum-Testing Coordinator Kaliswary M. Subramaniam.

Welcoming the delegates on behalf of UTAR were its Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong and Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi. UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and DCInterNet Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

The visit aimed to build rapport and promote mutual understanding between UTAR and MACEE. It also aimed to discuss opportunities for future collaboration between both parties.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of the UTAR corporate video to enhance the delegates’ understanding of the overall development of the University. Prof Ewe gave a brief introduction about UTAR after the video, while Curtis also introduced the background of MACEE.

Prof Ewe said, “Universiti Tunku Rahman is named after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman, who is also Malaysia’s Father of Independence. The University was established in 2002. It is a university by the people, for the people. We encourage a lot on exchange programmes, for both academics and students. The University is expanding its regional footprint and international profile while receiving many requests from our university partners to come here.”

Curtis thanked UTAR for the arrangement. He revealed, “We are very happy to be here and know the programmes offered by UTAR. This is my first time here in UTAR and Kampar. I am looking forward to seeking more opportunities for collaboration between UTAR and MACEE. We came here to promote eight programmes; to send Malaysian citizens to the United States. They can be students, graduated students, PhD candidates as well as scholars from faculties. Our job is to figure out what universities can do in Malaysia to engage with the United States. We will see how we can continue to give support to Malaysians.”

Among the programmes promoted through MACEE include FY2022-2023 Fulbright Malaysian Graduate Study and Research Programme, FY2022-2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme, .FY2022-2023 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme (FLTA), FY2022-2023 Fulbright Malaysian Scholar Programme, FY2022-2023 Fulbright Professional Exchange Programme, FY2022-2023 Fulbright U.S-ASEAN Initiative Programme, FY2022-2023 Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Programme and FY2022-2023 Fulbright Specialist Programme.

An in-depth discussion was also carried out between the two parties regarding possible collaborations including the exchange of academic staff, joint training courses, talks and seminars, as well as the promotion of scholarship and grant opportunities through MACEE to UTAR staff and students. Furthermore, the meeting saw an information-sharing session between both representatives. During the meeting, Curtis and Kaliswary also shared the requirements and application progress for the American programme through MACEE.

The event ended with a souvenir presentation, followed by a campus tour led by Prof Choong and Dr Chen.