Grand plans: Prof Yang, Prof Noor Azuan (third and fourth from left) and UM and Tsinghua University management and academics, posing for a photo during the visit.
ESTABLISHED in 1911, China’s Tsinghua University, and Universiti Malaya (UM), the country’s oldest and highest ranked institution, will collaborate to set up the UM-Tsinghua Institute in KL, and to create a comprehensive educational ecosystem encompassing various research areas.
UM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said preliminary discussions have started on the possibilities of setting up of the UM-Tsinghua Institute to be based in UM, which will represent a transformative step in educational and research collaborations between UM and Tsinghua University.
UM, he said, recently welcomed a high-level delegation from Tsinghua University to foster greater academic exchange and open new pathways in research, student and staff mobility, and collaborative development in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors research between the two varsities.
The delegation was led by Tsinghua University vice president Prof Yang Bin, he said in a press release dated Nov 11.
“The UM-Tsinghua Institute will enable students, researchers, and faculty from both institutions to explore new ideas, conduct joint research, and develop solutions to global challenges within a shared space. “Additionally, through collaboration in critical sectors we are building an ecosystem that will equip our students and staff to become global leaders in their field, and in charting new breakthroughs in these critical areas that will produce joint positive impact to both universities and most importantly, to both nations,” he said, adding that the partnership between UM and Tsinghua University has already resulted in several impactful academic and research initiatives including a dual Master’s Degree programme (Faculty of Engineering), 3+1+1 articulation and mobility programme (Faculty of Law), and upcoming medical research and education hub (Faculty of Medicine).
Expressing interest in Tsinghua University’s structured education ecosystem which starts from primary level, Prof Noor Azuan said the model has proven to be a success and could be a game changer for the education sector if adopted in Malaysia under the UM banner.
On Nov 5, during his recent working visit to China, Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim was conferred an honorary professorship by Tsinghua University at its Shanghai campus.
Prof Yang, on the varsity’s website, said Anwar was conferred the title in recognition of the premier’s outstanding contributions he has made to the development of Malaysia and the international community, as well as his significant global influence in the political, economic, and cultural fields.
Under his leadership, Malaysia has successfully implemented a series of structural reforms that have strengthened domestic economic growth and improved the standard of living for its citizens, Prof Yang said, adding that Anwar has been an advocate for peace, dialogue, and cooperation on the international stage, making tireless efforts to promote peace and development at both regional and global levels.
Well-deserved honour: Anwar (right) receiving the document of his award. - Photo from the Prime Minister’s official social media page
Describing it as an important milestone in strengthening the ties between Malaysia and China, Anwar said the recognition symbolises an enduring friendship and reflects the shared values and aspirations that bind the two nations.
“I am deeply honoured to accept this honorary professorship from Tsinghua University, a cradle of leaders and ideas that have driven China’s remarkable rise.
“Indeed, as a higher learning institution particularly renowned for its cutting-edge advances in science, technology and innovation, Tsinghua is a dynamic university par excellence.“I accept this honour on behalf of the people of Malaysia, as a symbol of the lasting friendship between our nations and our shared aspirations for peace, progress and prosperity,” he said in a Facebook post on Nov 11.
Anwar also expressed his hope that the honorary professorship would further catalyse partnerships between Malaysian educational institutions and Tsinghua University, one of China’s most esteemed institutions.
“We live at a time increasingly marked by division and the tangled web of identity politics. Narratives that presume that conflicts are inevitable are overshadowing our potential for cooperation.
“Yet, through dialogue, civilisational in essence, we can push back against this trend, choosing instead to elevate the ideals of understanding, mutual respect and knowledge,” said the Prime Minister.The Prime Minister also acknowledged Tsinghua University as one of the world’s leading institutions, particularly noted for its groundbreaking work in science, technology and innovation.
In line with his broader vision for a world of shared harmony, Anwar drew upon the values of two great traditions, Islam and Confucianism, emphasising on moderation, balance and social harmony.
“These values provide essential frameworks for addressing the urgent issues of our time. They serve as a lodestar that guides us toward solutions that genuinely serve the common good,” added Anwar.
The Prime Minister also pointed to Confucianism’s “Zhongyong” (Doctrine of the Mean) and Islam’s principle of “wasatiyyah” as guiding philosophies that highlight the importance of balance in addressing the world’s complex issues.
“It is my earnest hope that this honorary professorship marks the beginning of even greater collaboration between Tsinghua University and Malaysian institutions.
“Through academic and cultural exchanges, we can nurture a new generation of leaders grounded in a genuine appreciation of each other’s cultures, perspectives and aspirations,” said Anwar.
