4–8 May 2026
A delegation from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) visited Hainan Normal University (HNNU) in Haikou, China, from 4 to 8 May 2026. The visit was organized to strengthen the relationship between the two universities and to explore new opportunities for academic and research collaboration.
The UTM delegation was led by Prof. Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah Mat Darus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), UTM. She was accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahyuddin bin Arsat, Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies (UGS), UTM, and Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Lee Siew Ling, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials (CSNano), UTM.
The delegation arrived in Haikou on the evening of 4 May 2026. The following day, the delegates had a sight-seeing session at the Haikou city, tour-guided by representatives from Hainan Normal University.
On 6 May 2026, the UTM delegation attended an official meeting with the Vice-President of HNNU, Prof. Dr. Xu Jiliang. One of the key highlights of the visit was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between UTM and HNNU. The LOI reflected the shared commitment of both universities to expand their collaboration in academic and research activities.
The delegates also met with the Dean of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, HNNU, Prof. Dr. Chen Guangyin, to discuss possible collaboration in teaching, research, student mobility, and postgraduate programmes. In the afternoon, further discussions were held with representatives from the areas of artificial intelligence, economics, and management to explore broader opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration.
From 7 to 8 May 2026, the delegation participated in the International Seminar on Sustainable Functional Materials and Nanoscience at HNNU. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lee Siew Ling was the seminar Chair, while Prof Dr. Intan was one of the Plenary Speakers of the program. The seminar brought together researchers, academicians, and postgraduate students to share knowledge and discuss recent developments in materials science, nanoscience, optoelectronic sensors, and advanced photoelectric functional materials.
During the seminar, the UTM delegates also met with Prof. Dr. Wei Sun and researchers from the Hainan International Joint Research Center of Marine Advanced Photoelectric Functional Materials. The discussion focused on future collaboration, including joint research projects, academic exchange, postgraduate supervision, and joint publications.
On the afternoon of 8 May 2026, the delegation visited selected laboratories at HNNU. The laboratory visit gave the delegates a better understanding of the university’s research facilities and helped identify suitable areas for future collaborative work.
The visit concluded with a UTM promotional programme at the Affiliated High School of Hainan Normal University. The session introduced UTM’s academic programmes and provided an opportunity to engage with prospective students.
Overall, the visit was a positive and meaningful step forward in strengthening the partnership between UTM and HNNU. It opened up new opportunities for academic collaboration, joint research, postgraduate engagement, student recruitment, and future exchange programmes between the two universities.
