UTAR was graced by a visit from the Malaysia Education Exchange Association (MEEA) at Kampar Campus on 5 April 2024. The visit aimed to build rapport and promote mutual understanding between UTAR and MEEA, as well as discuss and explore potential educational collaborations between MEEA and UTAR Confucius Institute in the future.

The delegates from MEEA were led by President Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon. He was accompanied by Deputy President Mr Zhang Lin Feng, Secretary General Mr Phun Teck Seng and Deputy Treasurer Mr Zhang Kai.

They were welcomed by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong; UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies Dean and ICS Confucius Institute Director Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei; UTAR Confucius Institute Director Prof Dr Ma Yingxin, Office of International Affairs Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi and UTAR staff.

A brief introduction of members was carried out between the two parties by Prof Choong and Dato’ Mah at the beginning of the session. Dato’ Mah then thanked UTAR for the arrangement and shared about MEEA and its founding objective. “MEEA focuses on non-governmental educational exchanges, especially exchanges between Malaysia and China. Apart from economic and trade exchanges, education also plays a very important role. The purpose of this meeting is mainly to explore possible cooperation with UTAR Confucius Institute, to achieve educational goals and strengthen ties in the future,” said Dato’ Mah.

Dr Chong, on the other hand, shared the establishment progress, focuses and future work plans of the UTAR Confucius Institute. He said, “The Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF), Dezhou University (DZU) and UTAR signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on 22 May 2023 to establish a Confucius Institute at UTAR. The UTAR Confucius Institute will usher teaching, scientific research, and international cooperation between UTAR and DZU, carry out extensive learning and promotion activities of Chinese language and culture, and conduct high-level academic research. As a not-for-profit educational institution, UTAR Confucius Institute aims to provide a learning and exchange platform for Chinese language and Chinese culture enthusiasts in Malaysia through various channels, and strengthen Malaysia-China relations.”

He added, “In conjunction with the launching of the Confucius Institute, the Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations, and the China (Shandong)-Malaysia Youth Friendly Exchange Programme will be held on 26 April 2024 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus.”  He also discussed a range of topics including teaching the Chinese language (Hanyu), cultural events, exchange programmes, academic research, building the institute’s brand, and its unique attributes to give the delegates a more thorough grasp of the roles and importance of the UTAR Confucius Institute.

In response, Prof Ma welcomed all possible collaborations with MEEA and looked forward to maintaining a close cooperative relationship with UTAR in the field of education, which includes training, languages, dual degree programmes and joint cultivation of postgraduate students.

The meeting was followed by a discussion on possible collaborations between both parties in the future. The discussion topics included projects that can be carried out and promoted, the branding activities of the Institute, and network connections, to name a few. The visit ended with a campus tour.

The Malaysia Education Exchange Association (MEEA) was established in 2021 and was officially approved for registration by the Registration of Societies Malaysia (ROS) on 27 February 2023. As a not-for-profit organisation, MEEA aims to promote domestic education projects in Malaysia and foreign educational cooperation and exchanges. Its members are composed of people from all ethnic groups in the education sector, including officers from the Ministry of Education, university presidents, experts and scholars, primary and secondary school principals, teachers, and representatives of educational organisations.