Northeastern University (China) Delegation Visits UNM in Conjunction with 25th Anniversary

Semenyih, Selangor, 23 July 2025 - The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) welcomed a high-level delegation from Northeastern University China (NEU) as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations and ongoing initiatives to strengthen international academic partnerships.

This visit follows UNM’s official delegation to NEU in Shenyang, China back in December 2024, reinforcing the longstanding commitment of both institutions to expand and deepen collaborative efforts. The occasion also aligns with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China (2024–2025), underscoring the shared objective of fostering educational exchange, cultural engagement, and long-term institutional cooperation.

Strategic Discussions and Future Collaboration

The visit commenced with welcoming remarks from our Provost and CEO, Professor David FitzPatrick who emphasised UNM’s commitment to advancing meaningful global collaborations. While Vice President of NEU, Professor Wang Xingwei outlined NEU’s vision to broaden academic engagement and to enhance opportunities for student and faculty mobility.

Discussions during the visit focused on the following areas:

• The establishment of joint academic pathways, including a proposed 2+1 postgraduate arrangement, in which students would undertake two years at NEU followed by a final year at UNM. The existing pathway is centred on the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree, with plans to introduce a taught Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science to cater to a wider range of academic interests.
• The development of dual-degree undergraduate programmes and potential 2+2 articulation arrangements.
• Expansion of research collaborations, including the creation of joint doctoral opportunities.
• Implementation of short-term academic mobility initiatives, such as UNM’s Summer Camp and English language programmes for NEU students, as well as reciprocal exchange opportunities for UNM students and staff at NEU.

As a gesture of goodwill, Professor Wang Xingwei presented a calligraphy artwork bearing the phrase “融新致远” to UNM, symbolising the enduring and forward-looking nature of the collaboration between the two universities. The core philosophy conveyed by “融新致远” is: “在包容与创新中开拓进取，最终实现长远而稳健的成功”. It reflects a balance between openness and innovation (“融新”) and the perseverance needed to achieve sustainable, long-term goals (“致远”). Together, these ideas represent a vision of progressive yet steady development.

Advancing International Partnerships

This engagement reflects UNM’s strategic priority of strengthening international partnerships with leading institutions, providing students with enhanced global learning opportunities and positioning UNM as a regional hub for higher education excellence.

As UNM commemorates its 25th anniversary, its evolving relationship with Northeastern University illustrates a shared commitment to academic innovation and intercultural cooperation.