UTAR and Guangdong institutions advance cross-border education partnerships

Group photo of UTAR staff and Guangdong delegates

UTAR welcomed a delegation from the Guangdong Association for Private Education, along with representatives from 30 higher education institutions and education groups, to its Sungai Long Campus on 18 November 2025. The visit marked a significant step forward in exploring collaborations in international education, joint academic development, and talent cultivation between Malaysia and China.

The delegation was led by Mr Zhang Yaorong, Executive Vice President of the Guangdong Association for Private Education, and included university leaders and education experts. The visit commenced with a tour of the campus, where delegates were introduced to UTAR’s key learning facilities, including advanced laboratories, the library, and research spaces. This was followed by a presentation highlighting UTAR’s academic strengths, international expansion, and student achievements.

In his welcome remarks, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat expressed his gratitude for the visit and emphasised the value of cross-border academic partnerships. “UTAR looks forward to joining hands with universities in Guangdong to carry out more cooperation in the fields of education and industry, and jointly cultivate talents with international vision and innovative ability.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe emphasising the value of cross-border academic partnerships

Mr Zhang delivered a moving address, invoking the history of the Nanyang Volunteers and sharing the personal story of his own teacher to underscore the deep, historical “blood ties” between the two regions. Addressing the educational landscape, Mr Zhang noted that while Guangdong possesses a massive higher education system with 4.46 million students, the current strategic focus is on structural optimisation to increase undergraduate and postgraduate enrolment ratios. Ultimately, he stated, this partnership seeks to fulfil the leaders’ vision of the New Golden 50 Years in China-Malaysia relations.

Mr Zhang delivering his speech

The highlight of the visit was the unveiling ceremony of two international cooperation platforms jointly initiated by UTAR and its Guangdong partners: The Greater Bay Area–ASEAN Emerging Industries Institute and Guangdong–ASEAN Center for Educational Innovation and Development (Kuala Lumpur). These platforms are designed to foster deeper industry-academia integration and regional development. 

To solidify these commitments, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held between UTAR and five institutions from Guangdong. The agreements aimed to facilitate student mobility, academic exchange, joint training programmes, and research initiatives. The signatories included:
   1. Guangdong Association for Private Education & Guangzhou XinZhi Productivity Promotion Center
   2. Guangzhou Donghua Vocational College
   3. Guangdong Innovative Technical College
   4. Guangdong Institute of Arts and Science
   5. Guangzhou Vocational University of Science and Technology 

Following the ceremonies, the delegates engaged in roundtable discussions divided into three focus groups: undergraduate education, vocational education, and secondary education. Key topics included short-term student exchange programmes, undergraduate and foundation study pathways for secondary school students, and future academic collaborations. 

The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and an appreciation lunch hosted by UTAR, celebrating a successful day of dialogue and the beginning of new educational synergies.

Five MoUs were signed between UTAR and Guangdong institutions during the visit

The unveiling ceremony of GBA-ASEAN EII and Guangdong–ASEAN Center for Educational Innovation and Development (Kuala Lumpur)

Roundtable discussion

Delegates exploring UTAR’s academic and research facilities during the campus tour