MoU signing between UTAR and TusStar Malaysia

UTAR and TusStar Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 7 August 2023.

The MoU sought to enhance knowledge sharing through staff visits, seminars, and industry events. It also aimed to facilitate student industrial visits, staff exchanges, and skill training to enrich learning, provide career development opportunities for students, offer entrepreneurship platforms, and foster business talent through training and competitions.

The representatives from TusStar Malaysia were Director of TusStar Asia Pacific and Chief Executive Officer of TusStar Malaysia Ms Ravenna Chen, Senior Manager of Business Incubator Ms Shiny Janice Joseph, Public Relations and Communications Manager of TusStar Malaysia Ms Soo Mei Li, Corporate Service Executive of TusStar Malaysia Ms Chong Kez Chee, Corporate Service Executive of TusStar Malaysia Mr Chin Ting Sheng, Public Relations and Communications Executive of TusStar Malaysia Ms Soon Yi Fan, and Administrative Coordinator of TusStar Malaysia Ms Beh Xiao Qing.

Welcoming them were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Dean of Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dr Pok Wei Fong, FAM Department of International Business academic Dr Seah Choon Sen, Head of Unovate Centre Dr Lee Sheng Chyan, Director of the Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Head of Department of Soft Skills Competency (Sungai Long Campus) Ms Fook Oi Yee, Manager of Unovate Centre Ms Lee Yan Yin, DCInterNet staff Ms Liu Dan and Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations (DCCPR) staff Ms Lim Li Ting.

Prof Dato’ Ewe giving his speech

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “Today, we are delighted to renew our partnership with TusStar. Our connection goes back to 2017 when UTAR signed an MoU with TusHoldings in Beijing’s TusPark. In 2020, amidst the pandemic, TusStar generously donated supplies. Now, building on this, we continue this partnership through the MoU, promoting exchanges, staff internships, curriculum enhancement, industry engagement, skill training, student career growth, and entrepreneurship platforms. Today’s ‘Entrepreneurial Star Forum’ furthers this spirit, featuring talks, showcases, and discussions to ignite students’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirits, supported by TusStar’s incubation resources for their entrepreneurial journey.”

Ravenna Chen delivering her speech

Ravenna Chen mentioned, “UTAR is renowned for its commitment to high-quality education and comprehensive student development. Likewise, TusStar is an enterprise that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, offers practical experiences for young individuals, helps them apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations and cultivates innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. Thus, both entities will continue to collaborate on projects, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation, fostering incremental innovation, and creating more entrepreneurial prospects.”

From left: Shiny Janice, Ravenna Chen, Prof Dato’ Ewe and Prof Goi

Ravenna Chen (left) and Prof Dato’ Ewe exchanging souvenirs

After the MoU signing ceremony, the EntrepreneurStar Forum was conducted for the staff and students of UTAR. Ms Ravenna Chen delivered a talk titled “Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Helping youth realize their dreams in the Belt and Road Initiative” at the forum. She started the talk by introducing TusStar and explaining their incubation cases. She highlighted TusStar’s internationalisation work which consists of five modules: the transformation of university achievements, industrial empowerment, start-ups landing, overseas corporate project docking, and overseas high-level talent introduction. She also mentioned that TusStar offers young entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship, guiding them to develop creative ideas into viable businesses.

After that, a session displaying entrepreneurial projects was carried out. Five entrepreneurial projects were displayed at the forum, which were Organic Skin Care Product, Pet World, Rare Sole Resale, Tian Tian Tonic and Vein Watch. Moreover, a round table discussion was held after the presentation session. The round table discussion aimed to allow participants to discuss and ask questions regarding business with the selected mentors. The mentors were General Manager of Entrepreneur Growth Hub Shaun Yeoh, Chief Executive Officer of Strongbox Tech Sdn Bhd Ng Hong Liang, Co-Founder of EntreVestors Sdn Bhd KenGy Ng, founder of Speakers’ Valley Tay Vui Kit and Strategy CEO Office of Incite and Associate Director of Shefa Nicholas Kew.

Presentations of entrepreneurial projects

Round table discussion in progress