UTAR deepens its amity with Xiamen University of China with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Research Institute of Xiamen University in Pingtan, China (XMUPT) on 5 January 2023. The MoU signing ceremony was organised virtually via Zoom.

The MoU was signed by XMUPT Dean Prof Dr Lin Fan and UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat. The signing was witnessed by XMUPT International Business academic Wang Xingrong, XMUPT Center for Student Services Director Li Fang and academic Su Junjie; and UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min.

XMUPT was jointly established in May 2021 by Xiamen University of China and the Management Committee of Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone of China. Since Pingtan is an island located in a strategically and politically significant geographic area, it is viewed as a crucial window to foreign economies in China. Due to the island’s importance, XMUPT is tasked with great responsibilities of not only engaging in high-quality academic exchange, but also building collaborative relationships with economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In his remarks, Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “Through the signing of MoU with XMUPT, we will join hands to facilitate a number of academic and educational exchange projects, including (1) strengthening and facilitating academic exchanges along Belt and Road Initiative by building a “Southeast Asia master-doctoral joint training base” at XMUPT; (2) assisting China’s college graduates to continue their undergraduate studies at UTAR; (3) facilitating undergraduate exchange programmes between China’s universities and UTAR; (4) facilitating exchanges and mutual visitations of students and academics; (5) facilitating research collaboration and academic resources sharing; (6) and lastly facilitating collaboration of academic and art culture activities.”

He added, “In recent years, UTAR has formed close relationships with China’s higher educational institutions and corporations. We have engaged in active exchanges and collaborations on humanities and education with fruitful results. UTAR established the Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre and the Belt and Road Activity Centre to carry out international and school-enterprise cooperation and research related to the Belt and Road Initiative; as well as organise academic activities such as international academic conferences related to the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Welcoming UTAR as an official partner, Prof Lin said, “Recently, XMUPT has explored resources development and utilisation, and also technology development related to green and clean energy. Since its foundation, we have been entrusted with the crucial responsibility of training international talent. This led our research institute to become a platform for high-level introduction of talents in international academic exchanges. We hope to be able to achieve more in the training of talents on various levels in the future.”

He added, “Xiamen University of China is the only university in China to have an overseas branch in Malaysia. At present, in terms of international cooperation, we have a very deep and friendly relationship with Malaysia as Xiamen University has engaged in academic cooperation and exchanges with many Malaysian educational institutions. We hope that, through the signing of today’s MoU, a close collaborative relationship can be established with UTAR. Together, we will establish a good cooperative foundation for China-Malaysia’s talent training and talent delivery as well as deep development of undergraduate, master and doctoral programmes in the future.”

Also present at the virtual MoU signing ceremony were XMUPT Department of Education and Research Director Zhang Mingzhi, XMUPT Center for Student Services academic Meng Ying, UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, UTAR Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Dean Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue, UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, UTAR M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi, UTAR Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, UTAR Centre for Extension Education Director Assoc Prof Ir Dr Lim Jee Hock, and UTAR Division of Programme Promotion Director Lee Choy Fong.