Prof Chuah and Dr Liao shaking hands after signing the MoU while Tun Dr Ling and Lo look on.
An inaugural MoU was signed with the Taiwan Central Library (TCL) followed by the opening of the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies (TRCCS) at the UTAR Perak Campus library on 29 November 2013.
Signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato Dr Chuah Hean Teik and TCL Director of International Cooperation Dr Liao Shiow Man, the MoU initiative mirrors the University’s pragmatic step forward to catalyse internationalisation and to stimulate students’ interests in the colourful Taiwan arts, culture and studies.
Lending more significance to the event was the presence of UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Lo Yu-Chung who were there to witness the signing and the auspicious opening of TRCCS which is a first in the University and also in Malaysia. Other guests that were invited to grace the event included UTAR Planning and Development Committee Advisor Tan Sri Hew See Tong and UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee.
“Today’s MoU signing ceremony and opening of the TRCCS are the highlights of UTAR’s collaborative activities under the Spotlight Taiwan Project which is the effort of the Taipei Ministry of Culture to promote international cultural exchanges and to cultivate a greater interest in and appreciation of Taiwan culture worldwide,” said Prof Chuah. “UTAR is thankful to be among the first participant of this Spotlight Taiwan Project in Malaysia and we do appreciate the opportunity to conduct workshops, training and talks on Taiwan culture and activities to our students and the public. So far, UTAR has already established collaborations with 28 Taiwan universities in various areas such as student and staff exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, educational tours and training. The set-up of this Taiwan Resource Centre is a timely addition to UTAR’s ongoing efforts to collaboratively build a global resource and information platform to broaden cultural and academic exchanges,” he elaborated, and also thanked everyone for their contribution, support and planning.
Dr Liao also proceeded on the establishment of TRCCS. “In our effort to serve a wider spectrum of Chinese Studies scholars to promote scholarly exchanges throughout the world and to provide resources from Taiwan regarding Chinese Studies as well as to heighten co-operation with Chinese Studies research institutions in various countries, our Library has extended the scope of its services by selecting important international universities and renowned research institutes to co-establish the TRCCS,” she said, and also added that Resource Centres have also anchored in the US, Russia, England, Germany, Latvia and Vietnam. UTAR is the first point of the TRCCS in Malaysia.
“It is my hope that the TRCCS will be a great success,” said Lo. “The establishment of the Resource Centre bears great significance as it helps to improve the academic resources on Chinese Studies and also fosters academic ties amongst international academics,” he opined.
TCL donated 581 titles and 634 copies of books and DVDs and the electronic resources which allow search and full text access to rare books’ image search system and the Chinese rare books’ catalogue.
(From left) Prof Chuah, Lo, Tun Dr Ling and Dr Liao cutting the ribbon to unveil of the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies.
