KUALA LUMPUR, 28 October – A delegation from the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM) visited Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), where both parties held discussions on smart technology and the digital economy before formally signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen industry-academia collaboration between Malaysia and China.
The partnership brings together UTAR’s strengths in research, teaching and talent development with PUCM’s cross-border business network and industry resources. It aims to bridge academic research and industrial applications, support Malaysia’s digital transformation, and promote scientific and technological innovation and exchanges between Malaysia and China.
UTAR President Ir. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat said that Malaysia-China cooperation was increasingly focusing on smart technology and digital industries. He expressed UTAR’s commitment to leveraging the partnership to draw on its academic expertise and talent development capabilities, while fostering high-quality growth in science, technology and innovation in both countries.
PUCM President Dato’ Keith Li said that PUCM regularly organises the China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition to facilitate business matching and resource sharing in smart technology and digital innovation between Malaysia and China. He expressed hope that the MoU would mark a new milestone in industry-academia collaboration, establishing a sustainable platform for talent development, technical exchanges and industrial cooperation, and further advancing bilateral collaboration in smart technology.
Under the MoU, both parties will explore a range of collaborative initiatives, including joint university-industry development projects, student internships and employment opportunities, customised corporate training, further education opportunities for working professionals, corporate visits, thematic seminars on science and innovation, and potential cooperation in science, technology, innovation and trade.
Present at the signing ceremony were representatives from the China Entrepreneurs Association in Malaysia (PUCM), namely Dato’ Keith Li (President), Wen Liwei (Vice President), Zhuang Zhihai (Secretary General), Ma Yanan (Deputy Secretary) and Yang Hanwen (Executive Secretary), alongside the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) team led by Ir. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat (President), comprising Ir. Prof. Dr. Goi Bok Min (Vice President, Internationalisation and Academic Development), Ts. Dr. Lee Kim Yee (Deputy Dean, Student Development and Industrial Training, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science), Dr. Sia Bik Kai (Deputy Dean, R&D and Postgraduate Programmes, Faculty of Accountancy and Management), Prof. Dr. Cheng Ming Yu (Director, Institute of Management and Leadership Development), Ir. Dr. Lim Jee Hock (Dean, Institute of International Education), Dr. Lai Soon Onn (Director, Office of International Affairs), Ms Lim Guat Yen (Director, Centre for Corporate and Community Development) and Ms Wang Yiling (Senior Assistant Manager, Office of International Affairs).
