Huang Yanbin, a 19-year-old student in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long Campus, began his studies in Malaysia last year, though his connection to the country extends back to his childhood. His arrival coincides with a period of reinforced collaboration between UTAR and Fuzhou University (FZU) in China.
The strengthening ties between the two institutions were formally underscored in November 2025, when UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat led a delegation to Fuzhou, China. During the visit, Prof Dato’ Ewe attended the 2025 Maritime Silk Road International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application, held at FZU’s Qishan Campus. The conference brought together representatives from universities, research institutions, and enterprises across economies along the Maritime Silk Road, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Croatia, and Cyprus.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UTAR and FZU, focused on sharing artificial intelligence course resources. The agreement, signed by Prof Dato’ Ewe and FZU Vice President Prof Dr Yang Huanghao, aims to deepen academic partnerships in the field of artificial intelligence education. This MoU builds upon earlier collaborative efforts, including the establishment of the UTAR–FZU Joint Research Institute of Future Technology. The institute’s office was officially unveiled by Prof Dato’ Ewe during his visit to the Fuzhou University Institute of Architectural Planning and Design in July 2025, following its initial establishment at UTAR’s Sungai Long Campus.
UTAR’s Sungai Long Campus, located in Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, Selangor, provides students with access to nearby facilities including banking, housing, public transport, shopping, and dining. Huang Yanbin’s choice to study at UTAR places him within a growing network of academic exchange between Malaysia and China, facilitated by initiatives like the Joint Research Institute and the AI resource sharing agreement.
