Strengthening ties in cross-border e-commerce and engineering through international collaborations

UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min embarked on a visit to Jiangsu and Beijing, China, from 25 to 27 September 2025, to strengthen international cooperation, participate in international conference, and engage in meaningful exchanges with international partners.

Prof Goi was accompanied by Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training, and International Institute of Media (IIM) Deputy Director Ts Dr Ang Kok Yew during his trip to Jiangsu. 

Unveiling Ceremony of Sino-Malaysia Cross-Border E-commerce Institute for Global Artisans

The delegates made their first stop at Jiangsu College of Finance and Accounting (JSCFA) on 25 September 2025 to celebrate the Unveiling Ceremony of the Sino-Malaysia Cross-Border E-commerce Institute for Global Artisans (中马跨境电商国际工匠学院) and attend the seminar on International Development of JSCFA. 

JSCFA Deputy Party Secretary and President Mr Fei Xiaoyan and Prof Goi unveiled the plaque of the Sino-Malaysia Cross-border E-commerce Institute for Global Artisans, witnessed by Mango Media (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd General Manager Mr Jiang Zhongqi; China Education Online Chairman Mr Liu Yuming; China Education Association for International Exchange former Deputy Secretary-General Mr Zong Wa; and China Association for Student Employment Vice President Mr Yang Xiaochun. 

The Sino-Malaysia Cross-border E-commerce Institute for Global Artisans is a collaborative initiative jointly established by UTAR, JSCFA, Mango Media (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, and China Education Online. The unveiling marked an innovative effort by the four partners to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen international industry–academia integration. 

As part of this collaboration, the UTAR International Institute of Media (IIM) and JSCFA will jointly establish a New Media and Mango Lab at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The lab aims to promote e-commerce and broadcasting projects, providing students from both institutions with hands-on experience and cross-cultural insights in live-streaming and digital sales. Through close cooperation in curriculum development, faculty training, and standards formulation, the partners seek to nurture versatile professionals who embody global vision, technical expertise, and the spirit of craftsmanship— injecting new momentum into the development of China–Malaysia cross-border e-commerce as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

During the seminar, Dr Ang represented UTAR as a speaker, sharing insights on educational collaboration and the potential for cross-border e-commerce talent development. The visit concluded with the UTAR delegation touring key campus landmarks and visiting the Cross-Border E-commerce Academy of JSCFA, further strengthening mutual understanding and paving the way for future academic and industry cooperation.

MoA exchange ceremony with Beijing Jiaotong University

After the visit to Jiangsu, Prof Goi paid an official visit to Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) on 27 September 2025. Representing UTAR, he exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BJTU Vice President Prof Gao Liang on the joint establishment of the China–Malaysia Institute for Elite Engineers.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate to promote and strengthen academic and engineering education through student and staff mobility, joint research projects, academic exchanges, and the sharing of information and resources to foster mutual learning and innovation.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Second International Conference for Training Excellent Engineers

On the same day, Prof Goi attended the Second International Conference for Training Excellent Engineers held at the Beijing Jianguo International Conference Center. He delivered a keynote speech titled The Internationalisation Strategies and Prospects of Engineering Education at UTAR, Malaysia during Parallel Session Three: Construction of Overseas Institutes for Excellent Engineers.

The conference focused on advancing the development of world-class engineering institutes abroad and exploring joint talent cultivation models between China and international universities. By integrating talent training with innovation and entrepreneurship development, the initiative seeks to establish a seamless link between education and industry. Through cross-border sharing of educational resources and the establishment of joint engineering talent bases, the collaboration is guided by engineering and technological innovation, supported by major international partnership projects, and aims to build a globally exemplary ecosystem that integrates education, industry, and innovation.

Prof Goi’s visit to China not only reaffirmed UTAR’s commitment to internationalisation but also expanded strategic partnerships that bridge education, technology, and global talent development—strengthening the University’s role in fostering meaningful cross-border collaborations.