New Era University College and Maoming Municipal Education Bureau Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Strengthen Malaysia-China Educational Exchange
On 21 September, a delegation from the Maoming Municipal Education Bureau visited New Era University College (NEUC). Both parties engaged in discussions on the internationalisation of higher education, postgraduate qualification enhancement for teachers, student exchange, the preservation and promotion of Chinese culture, and international media communication. The visit culminated in the formal signing of a MoU between the two parties. After the meeting, representatives from Maoming and NEUC formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and exchanged commemorative gifts in the presence of both representatives and guests. In future, both sides will further promote delegation visits, institutional visits and research, and the development of specific collaborative initiatives. These efforts will include academic qualification advancement for educators, student exchange and joint training programmes, media internships, new media communication, and cultural exchange, with the aim of deepening Malaysia–China educational and cultural cooperation.
During the meeting, representatives of the Maoming delegation introduced the city’s educational development, cultural characteristics and proposed areas of cooperation. Liang Haiying, Deputy Minister of the Maoming Municipal Publicity Department, highlighted Maoming’s “Good-Hearted Culture” and its distinctive local cultural resources, expressing the city’s interest in promoting cultural exchange and communication between China and Malaysia. Zhang Zhenbiao, Deputy Director of the Maoming Municipal Education Bureau, shared that Maoming currently has six higher education institutions, comprising two universities and four higher vocational institutions, with a total student population of more than 80,000. He expressed the hope that the both parties could explore cooperation in areas such as postgraduate qualification advancement for teachers, student exchange to Malaysia, and joint training programmes through NEUC’s platform. The Head of the Maoming Correspondent Station of Nanfang Daily and media representatives also proposed strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and the media, including the establishment of media internship and training bases and new media communication research platforms, as well as jointly exploring and promoting Maoming’s “Good-Hearted Culture” and the stories of overseas Chinese communities.
Prof. Dr. Mok Soon Chong, Vice-Chancellor of NEUC, welcomed the Maoming delegation and shared the University College’s development journey, from its origins in Chinese-language education to its evolution into a higher education institution offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes. He noted that NEUC has a comprehensive range of Chinese-medium postgraduate programmes, providing opportunities for collaboration in academic qualification advancement for teachers from Maoming’s higher education institutions, as well as student exchange and joint training programmes. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Corporate Development), further introduced NEUC’s academic strengths in Education, Chinese Studies, and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, as well as its student-centred approach to supporting international students. She shared NEUC’s experience in Malaysia–China higher education exchange and expressed the University College’s interest in deepening cooperation with higher education institutions in Maoming in teacher development, academic exchange and talent cultivation.
The visit was also marked by a strong sense of hometown connection and goodwill. The delegation brought local specialties from Maoming, including Huajuhong (dried citrus peel) and lychees, to share with the university and guests. These thoughtful gifts not only showcased Maoming's distinctive local produce and cultural heritage but also conveyed the warm ties and longstanding friendship between Maoming and the overseas Chinese education community.
The Maoming delegation comprised Liang Haiying, Deputy Minister of the Maoming Municipal Publicity Department; Lai Chunhai, Editor-in-Chief of Maoming Radio and Television; Zhang Zhenbiao, Deputy Director of the Maoming Municipal Education Bureau; Xie Tian, Section Chief of the Maoming Municipal Publicity Department; Li Yanming, Section Chief of the Maoming Municipal Foreign Affairs Office; and Liang Bing, Minister of the Maoming Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, accompanied by three media representatives. Representing the Xinyi Association Malaysia were President Low Hai Nyin, Director of External Affairs Lai See Keong, Deputy Director of External Affairs Loh Kim Cheng, and invited representative Soo Chee Yuen. NEUC was represented by Prof. Dr. Mok Soon Chong, Vice-Chancellor of NEUC; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Corporate Development); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liew Siew Boon, Assistant Dean of the Institute of International Education; Professor Ng Yean Leng, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Wong Shwu Huey, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education; Professor Lew Bon Hoi, Head of Center of Malaysian History, Tan Lark Sye Institute; Ang Sin Yee, Head of Publicity Department; and Chin Wai Ching, Lecturer of the Institute of International Education.
