UTAR was graced by a visit from the National Chengchi University (NCCU) at Kampar Campus on 20 September 2023. The visit aimed to build rapport, promote mutual understanding between UTAR and NCCU and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

The delegates from NCCU were led by President Prof Li Tsai-Yen. He was accompanied by Secretariat Chief Secretary Prof Chen Pai-Lin, Office of the President Administrative Secretary Mr Cai Meng-Syuan, Alumni and External Relations Office Administrative Specialist Ms Julie Cheng and Office of International Cooperation Regional Manager Ms Joy Wan. 

They were welcomed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, who was accompanied by Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Deputy Dean (Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes) Ts Dr Khor Kheng Kia, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Deputy Dean (Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes) Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin, Department of Chinese Studies (Kampar Campus) Head Dr Toh Teong Chuan, Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi and UTAR staff.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Dato’ Ewe shared a brief introduction about UTAR and the collaboration history between both institutions over the years. He said, “The official partnership between UTAR and NCCU started in 2019. Since then, we have carried out a number of academic collaborations even during the pandemic such as becoming guest speakers for online courses at each other’s institutions as well as conducting field studies for research collaboration. It is our honour to have NCCU, a long-established university, as our international partner. We would like to learn and draw on the rich academic experience of NCCU, especially in the social and humanities, politics and diplomacy subjects.” He looks forward to the future collaboration between both institutions. 

Prof Li thanked UTAR for the arrangement and said, “We are glad to visit UTAR after the pandemic to further explore the feasibility of cooperation, and deepen the existing cooperation between NCCU and UTAR.” He also shared the history, development, highlights of the programme, international engagement, learning environment, research, achievement and accreditations, and the future prospect of NCCU.

The meeting was followed by a discussion on possible collaborations between both institutions in the future. The discussion topics included programme highlights, dual degree programme between UTAR and NCCU, staff and student exchange, study tour, research matching, international partnership, resource sharing, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), cyber classroom, and international alliance among higher education institutions, to name a few.

The visit ended with a campus tour.