UCTS, Taiwan’s CJCU ink MoU to boost ‘special’ ties

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Khairuddin (right) and Lee exchange the signed MoU documents.

SIBU: University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) has achieved another milestone, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Taiwan’s Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) here.

The MoU is meant to enhance relations between both institutions of higher education, and also to boost their academic and socio-cultural exchange programmes.

In his remarks, UCTS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid describes the relationship between both institutions as ‘very special, going beyond the normal collaboration to that of a family’.

He also says in his 30-year tenure at various universities in the country and having established many collaborations with foreign universities, the one with CJCU ‘is very special indeed’.

“I think it is basically based on a genuine friendship, trust and the desire to really work together in helping students. That is basically the reason why I feel the closeness of this relationship,” Khairuddin said at the welcoming dinner in a restaurant here on Sunday, which also hosted Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King, CJCU president Prof Dr Lee Yung Lung and his wife Cheng Su Mei, and also CJCU dean (admission office) Dr Chen Hsien Ming.

Additionally, Khairuddin said UCTS and CJCU signed a MoU in 2016 that endorsed exchange programmes involving faculty members and students of both institutions, joint cultural programmes, joint conferences and workshops, joint research programmes, as well as exchange of academic information.

He recalled that since 2017, seven UCTS students had gone to the CJCU, and one CJCU student had come to UCTS.

“Daniel Tan from UCTS went to CJCU as a visiting lecturer,” he said.

On CJCU summer programme, three UCTS students would be joining this August, he pointed out.

Khairuddin also said CJCU, UCTS and Geosat jointly established the ‘Drone Research and Application Centre’ (DRAC) in 2017.

“There have been numerous visits by the founder, chairman of the board, president, vice-presidents, and the top management of CJCU, to UCTS, as well as visits by the chairman of the board, vice-chancellor, the management and staff of UCTS to CJCU,” he said, adding that he recently took part in the ‘CJCU Partner School President’s Forum’ and CJCU’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Moreover, Khairuddin and his wife Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain were invited to be special guests and speakers for the CJCU graduation ceremony, where he delivered a speech to the graduates and alumni members of CJCU Executive MBA, and addressed the award-winning graduates during the graduation ceremony.

Dayang Mariani gave a talk on ‘Volunteering for People with Disabilities: Our Shared Responsibility’ to CJCU students and staff members.

On future activities, Khairuddin mentioned a joint programme on drone technology and applications for Sarawak Agriculture Department; a joint training programme on ‘AgroBiz’ for the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Research Development of Sarawak; joint seminar on drone technology and applications; and the continuance of UCTS- CJCU staff and student exchange programmes.