UTAR was graced by a visit from the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) at the Kampar Campus on 19 April 2023. The visit aimed to build rapport, promote mutual understanding between UTAR and PCCCI and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

The delegates from PCCCI were led by Vice President Dato’ Sri Desmond Loh Chee Yau. He was accompanied by Association Affairs Advisors Tan Chong Seng, Low Heng Keat and Datuk Eric Koh Seng Kiat, Secretary-General Lai Weng Keong, Treasurer Ken Yap Kean Lye, committee members and representatives from PCCCI.

They were welcomed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, who was accompanied by UTAR Alumni Association of Malaysia President Simon Chong, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, Faculty of Art and Social Science (FAS) Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Dr Choong Yuen Onn, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Ts Dr Cheng Wai Khuen, FICT Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Choo Peng Yin, Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) of Kampar Campus Director Ts Tan Lee Siew, FICT Department of Digital Economy Technology Head Ts Lim Jit Theam, Division of Community and International Networking (DcinterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD) Head of Corporate and Community Training Mohd Faizul bin Ahmad, Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) Head Tan Cheng Wah, Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) of Kampar Campus Head Hee Chwen Yee and UTAR staff. Institute of Management and Leadership Development Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu joined the meeting online.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Dato’ Ewe revealed, “We have a good relationship with PCCCI and the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), and many of our academics are part of ACCCIM. We look forward to cooperating with PCCCI closely in student training, internship, recruitment, research projects, CSR projects and many more. We welcome PCCCI to organise events such as Perak Trade EXPO at UTAR to attract more people and provide a platform for students to know and understand the enterprises in Perak in order to transform Kampar from a tin mine to talent mines.” He also emphasised the importance of industry-academia cooperation for talent engagement and retention, as well as attracting more foreign investment in Perak.

Dato’ Sri Desmond Loh thanked UTAR for the arrangement and Prof Dato’ Ewe for the introduction to UTAR and UTAR Hospital. He mentioned, “We are looking forward to the collaboration between PCCCI and UTAR to create a win-win platform for both parties.”

The meeting was followed by a discussion on possible collaborations between both parties in the future. The discussion topics included professional development such as HRD training, ESG training and development, talks and webinars; engagement and networking such as conferences and seminars, consultancy and commercialisation by academics from various fields, community projects and industry visits; talent hub and talent recruitment, as well as upcoming events which welcome participation from the industry.

The delegates then visited several places of attraction, such as Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, the Library, Bronze Sculptures and so on during a campus tour at Kampar Campus. The delegates also had a tour of the UTAR Hospital.