UTAR participates in first China-Malaysia Youth Exchange Forum

The first China-Malaysia Youth Exchange Forum was held on 28 January 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Over 50 guests and representatives from academia, businesses, and youth organisations attended the forum, including Tsinghua University, the University of Malaya, UTAR, TusStar Malaysia, GRADUAN Malaysia and Junior Chamber International Bukit Mertajam.

Mr Wang Rui, the President of the Tsinghua University Youth League Committee extended his congratulations on the successful organisation of the forum, noting that, “2024 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Malaysia has consistently been a pivotal partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.” He added, “Tsinghua University is always dedicated to cultivating talents with social responsibility and global competence. This Exchange Forum symbolises one of the milestones of closer links between Malaysian and Tsinghua students, laying foundations for further interaction.”

Mr Alvin Yap

Mr Alvin Yap, the President of the Malaysian Young Graduates Association (Graduan Malaysia), warmly welcomed the arrival of Tsinghua University’s “Zest” Social Practice Brigade on behalf of the Malaysian youth organisations. He emphasised that in this new era, youth are playing an increasingly important role in societal development. The friendly cooperation between the youth of both countries holds significant meaning for the further development of bilateral relations.

Mr Nahrizul

Mr Nahrizul Adib Kadri, an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Former Director of UM Corporate Communication Centre (CCC) articulated that the exchange between the youth of China and Malaysia would infuse a renewed vigour into the international engagements of both nations. He expressed optimism that China-Malaysian youth would inscribe a new chapter in China-Malaysian friendship.

Ms Ravenna Chen

General Manager of TUS Star Malaysia Ms Ravenna Chen shared insights based on her own experience and expressed optimism for the deepening development of youth relations between China and Malaysia. She hopes that the youth can harness the power of innovation and contribute to fostering friendly exchanges between the two countries through the strength of technology.

 

Student representatives Xing Yunxi (left) and Chiang Kailin (right)

 During the keynote session, Xing Yunxi, the leader of the Social Practice Brigade at Tsinghua University, and Chiang Kai Lin, a student representative from UTAR, spoke about the current international communication and cultural exchange in the context of the new media era.

Gifts

After the opening ceremony, members of the Tsinghua University “Zest” Social Practice Brigade presented the attendees with the China-Malaysian Youth Exchange Forum handbook and gifts.

Prof Nurulanini (left) and Ms Liu Shutian (right)

Prof Nurulaini Abu Shamsi from the Science Communication and Public Engagement Programme of Universiti Malaya and Ms Liu Shutian from Tsinghua University’s Global Communication Office shared thematic academic reports during the exchange session, delving into the international communication practices of Chinese and Malaysian universities, analysing the opportunities and challenges that new media brings to youth cross-cultural exchanges.

Youth forum

During youth dialogue, students and youth from China and Malaysia exchanged opinions about the importance of new media in current international exchanges. They discussed the role of youth in international communication and expressed their expectations of leveraging their strengths in the new media era to contribute to the deepening of China-Malaysian friendship.

Ms Ellie Soo

At the closing ceremony of the forum, Ms Ellie Soo, the Vice President of the Great Mountain International Youth Chamber of Commerce, expressed affirmation for the youth consensus and collaborative achievements reached during the forum.

Wang Zhongyu

Wang Zhongyu, a student from Tsinghua University, shared a youth initiative on behalf of the youth participants from China and Malaysia. She conveyed that Generation Z from both countries is committed to actively taking the responsibilities and missions of cultural exchange and future development. The youth, she emphasised, should effectively utilise the media to contribute to the enduring friendship between China and Malaysia.

Youth constitutes a crucial component of international communication and understanding, serving as a significant force in enhancing people-to-people exchange. This forum, organised by Tsinghua University, TUS Star Malaysia, and the University of Malaya, and hosted by Tsinghua University’s “Zest” Social Practice Brigade, aimed to deepen friendly exchanges among the Chinese and Malaysian youth. Taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the forum sought to contribute to the promotion of cultural understanding and forge a new chapter in the friendship between the youth of both nations.

Pictures of the attendees at the event