by Yeoh Li Cheng

Fifteen students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) were awarded the Four-Week Study Scholarship by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), China, and hosted by Northeast Normal University (NENU) in Changchun, China, to participate in the 2025 NENU–Malaysia Students’ Liberal Arts and Sciences Study Camp, held from 1^st  to 26 September 2025.

This marks the first CLEC-funded mobility programme successfully organised by UTHM, spearheaded by the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) with full support from the International Office. The students were selected after achieving HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) certification, reflecting the effectiveness of UTHM’s Mandarin language training initiatives in preparing students for international academic engagement.

During the four-week programme, a letter of intent (LoI) was signed between UTHM and NENU to further strengthen academic collaboration in language education, cultural exchange, and research collaboration. This partnership aligns with UTHM’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global academic networks and promoting student mobility as part of the university’s internationalisation strategy.

The study camp featured a well-balanced integration of science, humanities, and cultural learning, including lectures on Mathematics, Physics, and Water Culture Ecology, as well as cultural modules such as China Overview, Chinese Culture, and Contemporary China. Through hands-on workshops in Tai Chi Fan, Calligraphy, Chinese Painting, Hulusi Flute, Tea Ceremony, Opera Mask Painting, and Cloisonné Enamel, students immersed themselves in China’s rich artistic traditions. Their experience was further continued with field visits to Changbai Mountain, the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo, and Northeast Tiger Park that has deepened their appreciation of China’s ecological and historical landscapes.

The programme also provided students with invaluable exposure to cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and teamwork, while enhancing their academic and language competence.

One of the participants, Teu Yoke Yan said that earning the scholarship and studying in China was a meaningful step for her and she learned not only about China, but also about confidence, communication, and collaboration.

UTHM was represented by Mdm Yeoh Li Cheng, a Mandarin lecturer at the Centre for Language Studies and also the Head of International Mobility & Student Experience at the International Office for the signing of LoI.

At the closing ceremony, Mr. Wang Xiaobo, Deputy Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange at NENU, encouraged students to bring back their learning and experiences to Malaysia and to serve as ambassadors of friendship between China and Malaysia.

The successful completion of the NENU–Malaysia Students’ Liberal Arts and Sciences Study Camp not only highlighted NENU’s distinctive integration of science and humanities but also established a new bridge for youth exchange between China and Malaysia.

This milestone marks a proud achievement for UTHM in cultivating globally competent graduates and advancing meaningful international collaboration in language and cultural education, paving the way for future CLEC-supported initiatives and partnerships in China.