Online Signing Ceremony of MOU

On June 22, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute (NHRI) and New Era University College (NEUC), Malaysia held an online meeting, at which the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation. Among those participating in the meeting were YB Weng San Lau, Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Mr. DAI Jiqun, President of NHRI, Mr. GAO Changsheng, Vice President of NHRI, Mr. Mok Soon Chong, President of NEUC, and Ms. Cheng Sze Bin, Vice President of NEUC. Representatives from Faculty of Computer and Innovative Technology, Office of International Academic Exchange, and partner enterprises of NEUC, as well as from relevant departments of NHRI, including River and Harbor Engineering Department, Research Center for Big Data and Smart Water Management, and International Cooperation Office, also participated in the online event.

Mr. DAI Jiqun noted that the current China–Malaysia relations were embarking on a new “Golden 50 Years”, with the two countries entering a period of profound strategic synergy. The signing of the MOU to jointly establishment of Institute for Smart Water, Ports and Marine Information Technology represent an important step in implementing the building of the China-Malaysia community with a shared future. He emphasized that practical cooperation should focus on three priority areas: exchanges and mutual visits of researchers and students, joint research and demonstration projects on urban water governance, and planning and consultancy services for water-related infrastructure projects. Mr. Mok Soon Chong stated that NEUC would fully leverage this opportunity to strengthen collaboration with NHRI and accelerate the development of its engineering disciplines and scientific research platforms. YB Weng San Lau outlined the infrastructure development needs of Malaysia and highlighted that Selangor, as one of the nation’s most economically dynamic states, was facing the dual challenges of urbanization acceleration and climate change. He noted that the cooperation between NHRI and NEUC went beyond academic and scientific collaboration, and would directly serve Selangor’s urban modernization, port development, and water governance, to contribute to addressing challenges posed by climate change and urban stormwater flooding.

Malaysia is situated along the key waterway between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making it an important hub of the Belt and Road Initiative. NEUC is a non-profit higher education institution established by the Malaysian Chinese community and is also the unique overseas university hallmarked by its Chinese-language education. In recent years, senior representatives including Deputy Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Mr. Mok Soon Chong, and representatives from relevant technology enterprises have visited NHRI successively to discuss the joint establishment of the Institute for Smart Water, Ports and Marine Information Technology, promote talent cultivation and academic exchanges, and initiate plans for technology demonstration projects.