GROUP PORTRAIT (From left to right):Shunde Polytechnic vice president Professor Xu Gang; Mr Steve Shi;UCSI University's Sarawak Campus COO Madam Lu Huong Ying; FoHTM dean Assoc Prof Dr Li Jianyao; UCSI Group founder and chairman Dato' Peter Ng; Shunde Pol

GUANGZHOU: UCSI University is set for an influx of students from China who will arrive on a series of semester abroad programmes.

This comes on the back of UCSI's memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing with Shunde Polytechnic, one of China's leading polytechnics in the field of tourism and hospitality. 

Under the MoA, students of Shunde's China-Europe International Hospitality School - the institution's premier hotel school - will spend their fifth semester at UCSI's Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FoHTM). 

Both institutions will also commit to staff mobility in an endeavour to exchange ideas and best practices. 

The first batch of 20 students will arrive at UCSI's Kuala Lumpur campus this September to learn Western culinary art and English. 

Subsequent batches will spend a substantial period of time at UCSI's Kuching campus. 

UCSI founder Dato' Peter Ng signed the MoA with Shunde president Dr Xia Wei during his recent trip to China. 

Hailing the development, Dr Xia Wei said that the MoA was a big step forward in achieving Shunde's strategy for continued growth. 

"Along with advancement in academic governance, educational pursuit and entrepreneurial initiatives, international collaborationis an area we are seriously looking at," he said after the MoA signing. 

"I look forward to the partnership and I hope both parties will actively roll out the student and staff exchange programmes." 

The University was also represented by FoHTM dean Assoc Prof Dr Li Jianyiao, UCSI Sarawak campus chief operating officer Lu Huong Ying and Prof Dr Li Li. 

Lu said that the MoA would further raise Sarawak campus' international profile that has been boosted by a steady presence of Danish students and staff. 

"This MoA brings two-way benefits for both parties and the Chinese students will benefit from their semester in Malaysia where they will mix with other international students," said Lu. 

"I'm looking forward to welcome future batches of Shunde students to Kuching where they will be exposed to ecotourism activities and the unique charm of the Sarawak campus." 

The recent MoA signing is an addendum to enhance a partnership that was forged last year that saw Shunde establishing the Shun Fung Culinary School at UCSI. 

The Shun Fung brand is one of China's leading fine dining restaurant chains and it has expanded its presence overseas with branches in Australia and the United States. 

To date, UCSI's Shun Fung Culinary School is the only educational branch outside mainland China.