Malaysian university leaders have been given a unique insight into what Welsh higher education has to offer during a six-day visit to Wales.
Swansea University coordinated the event with the High Commission for Malaysia for the Malaysia-UK Universities Enrichment (MY-UK HECEP) programme with the aim of strengthening further collaboration between the two countries and especially universities in Wales.
The event was launched at Cardiff University by Professor Ben Calvert, Chair of Universities Wales International Network and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Wales, with an address by H.E. Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom.
Addressing an audience which included representatives from the Wales Innovation Network, Universities Wales, Taith and the British Council Wales, he underscored the importance of the MY-UK HECEP programme and expressed hope for the success of the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and the UK to continue for years to come.
Swansea University Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Wales Innovation Network Professor Paul Boyle presented key areas of innovation in fields such as Net Zero and decarbonization, cyber security, artificial intelligence, biotech, materials and manufacturing as well as Welsh culture and heritage.
The delegation of seven public Malaysian universities, made up of made up of senior members of staff, gave presentations on their universities’ strengths and strategic aims, going on to take part in discussions with senior staff from Aberystwyth and Wrexham Glyndwr Universities.
During the week in Wales, the delegation was given a first-hand look at some of the exciting research being undertaken in the region and met Malaysian students studying here. Institutional visits included Cardiff and Cardiff Metropolitan Universities, Swansea University’s Bay Campus and the University of Wales Trinity St David before concluding the week at the University of South Wales in Cardiff.
Swansea University’s Professor Judith Lamie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International Engagement, said: “We are delighted to have played a key role in welcoming the delegation to Wales to help further our relationship with Malaysia and build new networks.
“This was a great opportunity for the Welsh HE sector as a whole – not only were we able to show off the cutting-edge research that is going on in a wide variety of fields but we were also able to emphasise just how important our international partnerships are.
“We look forward to building on the success of this visit in the future.”
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