Semenyih, 13 June 2025 – The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Ir Dr Shahir Liew as a Visiting Expert under the prestigious National Foreign Expert Program by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology.
Professor Shahir, who currently serves as UNM’s Vice Provost of Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE), was invited by the China University of Petroleum (East China) for engagements on civil and structural engineering. This appointment follows his previous involvement under the same project during his tenure at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), further cementing his reputation in advancing academic-industrial collaboration across borders.
“It is an honour to be part of a strategic initiative that bridges research and education between Malaysia and China. Opportunities like this remind us of the power of knowledge exchange to transcend borders. I see this not just as a professional appointment, but as a chance to shape future talent, spark collaborative research, and foster deeper mutual understanding between our institutions and cultures. These are the ties that ultimately drive innovation with real-world impact,” said Professor Shahir.
His appointment marks a significant milestone for UNM, reinforcing the university’s role as a hub of international research and academic excellence. As part of this engagement, Professor Shahir will lead initiatives to strengthen industrial networks between China and Southeast Asia, as well as facilitate academic exchanges between UNM and the China University of Petroleum (East China).
These initiatives range from postgraduate research and structured internship programmes for undergraduate students, to cross-cultural and language immersion opportunities, as well as collaborative research in key engineering and energy-related fields.
China University of Petroleum shared, “We are delighted to invite Professor Shahir to serve as a visiting expert and advisor for the National Foreign Expert Program. His wealth of expertise, international outlook, and collaborative mindset will be instrumental in enriching our academic programmes, enhancing our industrial collaborations, and nurturing a more globally engaged student body. We look forward to building enduring bridges between our academic communities and industries to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.”
This partnership not only highlights the expertise of UNM’s academic staff but also showcases the university’s continued commitment to fostering meaningful global partnerships that benefit both students and researchers.
Celebrating 25 years as a pioneer in transnational education, UNM continues to set the benchmark for high-quality, internationally recognised education and research by bridging global standards with local relevance. With a legacy adorned with prestigious awards, UNM is delivering on their promise of offering a world-class education and fostering academic and research excellence in Malaysia.
Posted on 16th June 2025