UTAR and Guilin University of Technology, China (GUT) exchanged a memorandum of agreement (MoA) at UTAR Kampar Campus on 22 November 2023. The MoA was pre-signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and GUT President Prof Wang Dunqiu. It was exchanged by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong and Prof Wang.

GUT has been a close partner to UTAR since the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 13 September 2010. As an engineering-focused university with over 60 years of experience, GUT has contributed its vast knowledge in engineering in more than 2,000 academic projects, which helped promote the development of science and technology in China. Since the signing of the first MoU, UTAR has engaged in various academic exchanges and activities such as student exchange programmes, joint supervision of postgraduate students, joint research, joint forums, joint lectures, and mutual visitations of students and academics.

The MoA will initiate the 3+1+1 programme, an undergraduate and postgraduate student mobility programme; dual Master and PhD programmes; joint activities in promoting the China-ASEAN Environmental Research Centre as a hub for ASEAN collaborations and economic opportunities; mutual personnel visit; joint research and technology development; and international academic conferences.

Delighted to witness more joint activities between UTAR and GUT, Prof Choong said, “Since our establishment, UTAR has been working with overseas institutions to promote international exchange. UTAR currently has more than 630 partners, ranging from industry to education partners. Even before the pandemic, we have had many joint activities with GUT. From those activities, our students gained many new knowledge. Hence, we hope to work further with GUT in initiating dual Master and PhD programmes, which will facilitate deeper academic exchanges between UTAR and GUT.”

In his remarks, Prof Wang said, “Gut has a close relationship with UTAR, as we have collaborated with UTAR on many occasions since the year 2010. We have a wide network of international partners, especially from European countries, but UTAR remains one of the closest partners to GUT. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of our international exchange students has fallen. However, it is steadily recovering after the pandemic. Currently, we are trying to reach out and have more exchanges and collaborations with international universities. Therefore, we wish to have a more diverse collaboration with UTAR in the future.”

The ceremony saw an in-depth discussion between the GUT delegates and delegates from UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT). During the discussion, both universities discussed the implementation of the plans included in the MoA as well as potential collaborations in the future.

Also present at the MoA exchange ceremony were GUT College of Mechanical and Control Engineering Dean Prof Zhang Lieping, College of Environmental Science and Engineering Dean Prof Zeng Honghu, Department of Academic Affairs Director Prof Kang Zhiqiang, International Office Deputy Director Ms Wan Weiye, UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, FEGT Deputy Dean for Research and Development and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lo Po Kim, FEGT Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Tan Kok Tat, Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, and UTAR staff.