Discussing digital transformation in post-epidemic era

In conjunction with the 2022 China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, Guizhou University (GU) of China, UTAR, and China Construction Bank (Malaysia Branch and Guizhou Branch) jointly organised “The China-Malaysia Education Forum on Digital Transformation in the Post-epidemic Era 中马教育论坛：后疫情时代下教育数字化转型". The forum was conducted in hybrid mode.

Invited to officiate the forum was Deputy Minister I of Education of Malaysia YB Senator Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon. Also present at the forum were the Executive Secretary-General of the Secretariat and the Organising Committee of China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW), Mr Liu Baoli; Executive Vice President of China Construction Bank (Malaysia) Berhad Mr Wang Shaoqiang; Vice President of China Construction Bank Guizhou Branch Mr Lu Xuetao; President of UTAR Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Vice President of Guizhou University Prof Zhou Shaoqi.

As one of the organisers of the forum, Prof Dato’ Ewe was invited to give an opening speech online. He first thanked the esteemed speakers and moderators for sharing their knowledge and experience with the participants. He enthused, “I am also grateful to the organisers, guests as well as all local and international participants for joining us at this hybrid forum.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe also said, “The China-Malaysia Forum on Digital Transformation in the Post-Epidemic Era aims to strengthen the multi-party linkage among the government, enterprises and universities to achieve the goals of sharing high-quality educational resources, jointly exploring new models of international exchanges and cooperation, and creating a new chapter of China-Malaysia educational exchanges and cooperation in the post-epidemic era.”

“As a university ‘by the people, for the people’, UTAR has always believed in organising enriching activities for its students. With this current pandemic and the challenges for the country and global economic outlook, many youths and graduates may face greater employment challenges. Therefore, this forum is most relevant for youths who need to brace themselves for greater digitisation and transformation in their lifestyle and at their workplace with never-before challenges prior to the pandemic. There will be lifestyle changes and greater reliance on digital and information communications technology as the way forward,” he added.

Last but not least, he expressed his hope for participants to build greater resilience to overcome challenges by gathering information at the forum and discussing issues at the Q&A sessions. He said, “Through this forum, I hope that participants will also be able to identify future skill needs, and hopefully discuss solutions to problems that will reflect long-term sustainability, and engage in meaningful discussions with the speakers, peers and professionals.”

The forum then continued with another two forum discussions. Forum 1 was themed ‘Digital Transformation in Education in the Post-Epidemic Era Facilitating International Cooperation” while Forum 2 was themed “Digital Transformation in Education in the Post-Epidemic Era Improving Teachers’ Skills.”