To enhance the quality of international student recruitment, the College of International Education (Oxford Brookes College) at Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT) is working to build strong overseas student pipelines. As part of this effort, the college is launching enrollment for its Sino-UK joint education program and looking for further international collaboration. From April 8 to 12, 2025, CDUT sent a delegation to Malaysia. The group comprised Dean Li Shan, Associate Professor Dong Xun, and Admissions Officer Chen Qian, joined by a representative from Oxford Brookes University. The delegation held in-depth exchanges with Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), as well as several universities including SEGi University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Management and Science University (MSU), and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT). These efforts aim to promote cultural and educational cooperation, and contribute to building a Sino-Malaysia community with a shared future.

With the introduction of Huazong President Goh Tian Chuan, Dean Li Shan led the delegation to meet with YB Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia. The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation for the delegation’s presentation of Sichuan and Chengdu, acknowledging Malaysia’s developmental gap in geosciences and expressing strong interest in collaboration. He hoped to establish deep cooperation with CDUT in joint programs, student and faculty exchanges, and scientific research. The two sides explored cooperation potential with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in areas such as marine geothermal energy development and mangrove ecosystem protection. The Deputy Minister looked forward to a return visit to CDUT to promote the implementation of cooperative projects. Notably, CDUT is the second Sichuan-based university to visit the Ministry. The visit received extensive coverage from several major Malaysian media outlets.

Visit to Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education

Gifts exchanging

Dong Zong, the highest authority in Chinese education in Malaysia, held a productive meeting with the delegation. Dong Zong introduced the current state of Chinese education in Malaysia, students’ higher education aspirations, and the presence of Chinese universities in Malaysian student recruitment. Both sides discussed undergraduate admissions, industry-academia cooperation, and talent development. Dong Zong invited CDUT to join its university information platform and the China Higher Education Fair to enhance CDUT’s influence in Malaysia and attract more outstanding Malaysian students.

Visit to Dong Zong

Photo with the Chinese Education Cornerstone

Discussions with Huazong deepened mutual understanding on Sino-Malaysia cultural and educational exchange. The two parties explored cooperation in cultural exchange events aimed at promoting mutual understanding and friendship among young students from both countries and encouraging cultural integration and continuity.

Discussion with Huazong

During the visit to TAR UMT, the delegation gained insights into the university’s industry-academia cooperation model and short-term programs. A meeting was held with Vice President Huang Huajuan, where both sides discussed potential collaborations in short-term study tours, exchange programs, 2+3 bachelor-master pathways, corporate visits, and summer schools. A memorandum of understanding was signed, marking the beginning of a cooperative relationship.

Meeting with TAR UMT

At UTAR, the delegation held in-depth talks with Professor Lai Soon-Onn, Director of the Office of International Affairs, and Professor Lim Jee Hock from the Centre for Extension Education. UTAR expressed strong interest in CDUT’s strengths in geosciences and engineering, and hoped to initiate undergraduate exchange, short-term study programs, summer schools, and joint postgraduate training. UTAR also expressed expectations regarding CDUT’s international accreditation of its engineering programs to enhance its appeal to international students. The delegation extended a sincere invitation to Professor Lai to lead a delegation to Chengdu for the 2nd “Belt and Road Conference on Science & Technology” to further deepen academic exchange and cooperation.

Meeting with UTAR

During talks with MSU, President Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr. Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid proposed the joint establishment of a center for research cooperation and talent cultivation. The collaboration would focus on credit recognition, joint talent development, and building a scientific collaboration platform. In addition, the two institutions will work closely on global leadership, global mobility, and global internship, aiming to enhance students’ global competence.

Meeting with MSU

At SEGi University, President Prof. ChM Dr. Teh Geok Bee FASc had in-depth discussions with the delegation on potential collaboration in 2+3 bachelor-master programs, student exchanges, joint postgraduate training, and international student recruitment. A memorandum of understanding was signed, signifying a step toward building a multi-level, cross-stage education cooperation platform between the two universities to offer broader learning and development opportunities for students.

Discussions with SEGi University

Dean Li Shan’s visit to Malaysia demonstrated a firm commitment to President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a shared future for humanity. Upholding the principles of mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, the delegation not only built a bridge for collaboration between CDUT and Malaysian universities and institutions but also injected new momentum into Sino-Malaysia educational and cultural exchanges, promoting the formation of a Sino-Malaysia education community and supporting the advancement of both countries’ education sectors.