Kuala Lumpur - UCSI University recently hosted a group of 41 student-delegates from the Students' Union, University of Macau on Tuesday, 12^th June 2012.

In Malaysia for a three-day academic and cultural experience programme before heading to Singapore, the students were keen to know more about the university's curricula and extracurricular activities and Malaysia's historical and cultural heritage.

Their visit to UCSI University's North Wing campus was their only stopover at a Malaysian institution of higher education and the delegation was welcomed by a team that was led by UCSI University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International Relations, Professor Dr. Lee Chai Buan.

Giving the visitors an overview of UCSI University, Professor Dr. Lee elucidated the University's strong academic history, its praxis approach and the functions of the various praxis centres such as Le Quadri Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Laurent Bleu Skin Science and Wellness Centre. These praxis centres optimise relationships between industry and academia through the provision of quality education and unparalleled workplace exposure.              

Professor Dr. Lee's welcome remarks were followed by presentations from Associate Professor Engr. Dr. Jimmy Mok, Associate Professor Dr. Irene Tan and Dr. Chaw Lee Yen, who gave the delegation a brief introduction of their respective faculties.

Whilst Ms. Ooi Pei Boon, Director, Student Affairs' Office shared with the students about services and activities available for UCSI University's students and Mr. Leong Keng Cheng, President, UCSI University Student Council presented an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Council.

Led by University of Macau's Student Union Vice-Secretary General, Kathleen Liang, the students were impressed with the way UCSI University had made its mark over the years.

Liang, a law major, said that the delegation felt really welcome at UCSI University and they would definitely put in a good word for the university when they returned to Macau.

"We really enjoyed the presentations by the respective deans as some of them are insightful and funny," she said. "It's good to hear how UCSI University is actively engaging society and I'm sure this will continue."

The Macau student leaders later shared more about the functions of their student union and it was an ‘eye-opening experience' for their Malaysian peers as they saw the difference in terms of governance and administration between the student union in University of Macau and the student council in UCSI University.

As Macau is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, student leaders wield a tremendous amount of influence and the government heavily subsidises their many activities.

In fact, about 30% of the delegation's travelling costs of their trip to Malaysia and Singapore were subsidised.

The visit ended with a meeting of minds by both sets of student leaders who reconciled their experiences and roles in a lively question and answer session.