Fellowship seminar provides excellent platform for networking and knowledge exchange

Front row, from third left: Dr Au Yong, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Ms Yep, Dr Pok and Dr Omar

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia and UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) jointly organised the Taiwan Fellowship Seminar 2023 at Sungai Long Campus on 26 December 2023. The half-day seminar provided an excellent platform for networking and knowledge exchange among current and former fellowship recipients, prospective applicants, and individuals interested in the research outcomes associated with the Taiwan Fellowship.

Present at the seminar were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, TECO Representative Ms Phoebe Yeh, TECO Deputy Director Steve Wen-Chieh Kao, TECO Secretary Gustavo Chu, FAM Dean Dr Pok Wei Fong, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Organising Committee Chairperson Dr Omar Hamdan Mohammad Alkharabsheh and participants.

The seminar commenced with an opening speech by Prof Dato’ Ewe. He said, “I believe that the seminar can create a greater awareness among the academics, graduates and the industry including the alumni. There are many opportunities for collaborations to nurture talents, and expand research for new and more efficient ways of doing things while seeking new inventions for a better life.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe delivering the opening speech

Following was another speech from Ms Phoebe Yeh. Ms Yeh conveyed warm regards and highlighted the programme’s significance in promoting advanced research related to Taiwan for Malaysian scholars. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Ms Yep noted the resilience of the fellowship programme, with 10 recipients conducting research in Taiwan from 2020 to 2022. The seminar underscored the robust and enduring collaboration between the two economies, emphasising achievements in trade, economics, education, and tourism. Key statistics, such as Taiwan being Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2022 and hosting 12,500 Malaysian students, showcased the depth of the bilateral relationship.

 

Ms Yep delivering the opening speech

The programme included insightful presentations by distinguished speakers, such as Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) academic Dr Loo Hong Chuang; FAM academic Dr Goh Hong Lip (online); Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS) academic Assoc Prof Dr Goh Soo Khoon, and Dr Pok.

Dr Loo (left) and Dr Pok sharing their research projects in Taiwan

Dr Goh Soo Khoon (left) and Dr Goh Hong Lip sharing their research outcome and experience via Zoom

The seminar concluded with an introduction to the 2024 Taiwan Fellowship recipients, showcasing the diverse range of individuals engaged in this prestigious programme. Among them were Dr Au Yong, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior lecturer Dr Hoo Chiew Ping, and Universiti Malaya (UM) Foreign Affairs and Security Strategist Mr Collins Chong Yew Keat.

The seminar not only provided valuable insights into the experiences of past fellows but also offered guidance to potential applicants, fostering a collaborative atmosphere aimed at enhancing the understanding and engagement between the two economies in the field of research and academia.

 

From top: Dr Au Yong, Mr Collins Chong and Dr Hoo (in the screen)