On November 17, 2024, the Jinan University Malaysia Alumni Association hosted the grand celebration of the university's 118th anniversary in Kuala Lumpur. The event attracted alumni from around the world, including many from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, to mark this historic occasion. A few of our alumni from the Tsinghua University Alumni Association also participate in the celebration, highlighting the strong bond and goodwill between the two alumni associations.
Themed “Sailing Across the Seas, Celebrating Together Worldwide,” the celebration reflected on Jinan University's remarkable achievements over more than a century, showcasing its significant contributions to education, technology, and Malaysia-China cooperation.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including H.E. Ouyang Yujing, the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, and his wife Song Xiaomei; Zhao Changtao and Zhao Xiangdong, counselors from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia; YB Chang Lih Kang, Malaysia's Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation; Professor Xing Feng, President of Jinan University; Tan Sri Koo Yuen Kim, member of the Board of Directors of Jinan University; and Mr. Ng Yi Sheng, President of the Jinan University Malaysia Alumni Association.
The guests delivered speeches praising Jinan University’s outstanding accomplishments and shared their optimistic outlook on the future of Malaysia-China collaboration in education and technology.
H.E. Ouyang Yujing emphasized in his speech that Jinan University, as a symbol of Malaysia-China friendship, has made indelible contributions to bilateral cooperation in education, culture, and trade. He reflected on the historic progress of Malaysia-China relations over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, noting that the deep bond between Jinan University and Malaysia epitomizes this enduring partnership.
YB Chang Lih Kang commended the establishment of the "Malaysia-China Joint Laboratory for Oil Processing and Safety under the Belt and Road Initiative," describing it as a milestone in the two countries’ collaboration in food safety and technological innovation. He highlighted that the laboratory would facilitate the development of higher-quality food products, meet growing global demand, and strengthen scientific exchanges between Malaysia and China.
Professor Xing Feng introduced Jinan University’s recent achievements in its "Double First-Class" initiative and development as a high-level university. He stressed that, as China’s first government-established institution for overseas Chinese, Jinan University remains committed to cultivating globally-minded, highly-skilled talents. He called on alumni worldwide to continue supporting the university’s growth.
Tan Sri Koo Yuen Kim reflected on the history of Chinese education in Malaysia and emphasized the importance of the Silk Road Fund in supporting Malaysian students studying at Jinan University. He urged alumni, particularly those in Malaysia, to take on the mission of promoting Chinese culture and sharing its rich heritage with the world.
Mr. Ng Yi Sheng highlighted that Jinan University has long been a vital bridge for educational collaboration between Malaysia and China. Over the past several decades, the university has nurtured more than 1,000 talented Malaysian alumni, who have significantly contributed to strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering deep cooperation between the two nations. He affirmed that the Malaysia Alumni Association would continue to work toward enhancing bilateral educational and cultural ties.
The Tsinghua University Alumni Association noted the longstanding interaction and collaboration between Tsinghua and Jinan alumni, which have deepened ties between the two institutions. This partnership has also expanded the Malaysia-China alumni network, creating broader opportunities for cooperation. As a next step, the Tsinghua University Alumni Association pledged to use this event as a catalyst to collaborate more closely with the Jinan University Alumni Association. Together, they aim to advance education and technological cooperation between Malaysia and China and contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations.
