UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang made an official visit to Tsinghua University, China on 24 and 25 October 2011. In his meeting with Prof. Dr. Hu Heping, Chair of Tsinghua University Council and the Tsinghua University team, Dato’ Zaini discussed potential collaboration to establish bilateral ties with Tsinghua University in various areas of mutual interest, particularly on scientific research and academic exchange.
The UTM delegation consists of Prof. Dr. Rahmalan Ahamad, Dean of Research, UTM Sustainability Research Alliance, Emeritus Professor Dr. Gustaf Olsson, regular Visiting Professor at UTM, and Tan Hooi Luang, Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, UTM.
Prof. Zaini highlighted that both universities could strategically engage in relevant projects of mutual interest and benefits. The proposed collaboration was well received by Prof. Hu and his colleagues whom Dato’ Zaini and his team met in separate meetings arranged throughout the visit.
In subsequent discussions and deliberations, Prof. Dr. Chen Jining, Executive Vice President, Tsinghua University agreed that both universities should forge strategic partnerships to foster cooperation in joint research and publication efforts related to issues in potential areas such as the following:
- water and energy security
- integrated water and energy planning
- system optimisation for sustainability
- green chemistry
- low carbon technology
- localised environmental performance indicators, and
- culture and sociology of sustainability
Other proposed areas for future cooperation between the two universities include:
- co-supervision of PhD students
- staff exchange and visiting professorship
- postgraduate and undergraduate students exchange
- postgraduate internship/attachment
- joint seminar/conference and other potential engagements
Dato’ Zaini also had fruitful discussions with Prof. Dr. Huang Xia, Director, Division of Water Environment, School of Environment and Prof. Dr. Xing Xin-Hui, Director, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University. Aiming to explore opportunities for collaboration, the discussions have led to a better understanding of UTM and Tsinghua’s research interests and niche areas.
The two-day networking visit marked an important milestone in enhancing collaboration and strengthening ties to bring the UTM-Tsinghua University relationship to greater heights.
