Working and learning together
between the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) and Guangxi Education Department (GED) of Ministry of Education, China recently brought together researchers and academicians for a forum held at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Sungai Long.
UTAR president Professor Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik said the forum aimed to bring together esteemed researchers and academics with specialisation from various fields ranging from education, environmental sciences and Chinese medicine to medical, electrical and electronic engineering.
The local delegates were from University of Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and UTAR. Meanwhile, the China delegates were from Guangxi University, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin University of Electronic Technology and Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine.
Higher Education Department director general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said in her speech at the opening ceremony that the purpose of this forum was for them to work together, learn from each other and enhance opportunities.
“It is hoped that the findings from the forum will spearhead further activities that will fulfil the needs of Malaysian and Chinese universities, and ultimately the society and community in both countries.
“MOHE has been showing interest in establishing another partnership with GED. The collaboration will see benefits for lecturers and students from both countries. We hope through this initiative, the number of postdoctoral programmes and students will increase,” she added.
GED inspector-general Professor Tang YaoHua said he believes that the forum can be a new model for students and staff exchanges or interschool visits between Guangxi and Malaysia.
“In recent years, Guangxi sent more than 200 students to Malaysia while welcoming equal numbers of Malaysian students to Guangxi,” he said emphasising the good relationship between GED and MOHE.
In his keynote speech, Tang also gave an introduction to Guangxi including its geographical location, development and achievements made by Guangxi society and higher education. He mentioned that the friendship between Guangxi and Malaysia will be renewed and collaboration between the two sides will be rebuilt through this programme.
Participants also shared their discussion and outcomes for future joint collaborations. Some highlighted outcomes were dual degree mutual recognition initiatives where degree certificates from