Universiti Malaya (UM) welcomed a high-level delegation from Tsinghua University led by Vice President Professor Yang Bin, for a productive discussion on various collaborative ventures ahead, including exploring possibilities for the setting up of UM-Tsinghua Institute and an exciting exchange about building a comprehensive educational ecosystem between the two renowned universities.
The delegation was led by Tsinghua University's Vice President, accompanied by senior faculty members aim to foster greater academic exchange and open new pathways in research, student and staff mobility, and collaborative development in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors research between the two universities.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of UM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, preliminary discussions have started on the possibilities of setting up of the UM-Tsinghua Institute to be based in UM, which will represent a transformative step in educational and research collaborations between UM and Tsinghua University.
“This centre/institute will enable students, researchers, and faculty from both institutions to explore new ideas, conduct joint research, and develop solutions to global challenges within a shared space. Additionally, through collaboration in critical sectors especially on Artificial Intelligence AI, semiconductors, and beyond, we are building an ecosystem that will equip our students and staff to become global leaders in their field, and in charting new breakthroughs in these critical areas that will produce joint positive impact to both universities and most importantly, to both nations.
“Additionally, the partnership between UM and Tsinghua University has already resulted in several impactful academic and research initiatives including Dual Master’s Degree Program (Faculty of Engineering), The 3+1+1 Articulation Program & Mobility Program (Faculty of Law), Upcoming Initiatives Between TIDREC and Tsinghua University and UM-THU Medical Research and Education Hub (Faculty of Medicine),” Professor Noor Azuan added.
The discussions that took place between UM Vice Chancellor and the top management of the university with the management of Tsinghua University also touched on the development and joint advancement of several key strategic areas which include financial technology, the semiconductor and chip industry, artificial intelligence and business and economic management. The Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Engineering from UM will lead the joint cooperation in these fields which is intended to produce resilient and lasting returns to the advancement of research and knowledge.
Professor Yang Bin also explained about the ecosystem of Tsinghua University where they have a dedicated and structured education offering from the primary and middle school level, in which the Tsinghua model and concept are applied in providing quality education to different young demographic segments in these schools.
The Vice Chancellor of UM is impressed with the highly successful model and system in place and has expressed serious interest and consideration in applying the same model here in Malaysia under the banner and brand of UM, which will be a game changer in the education sector and in benefitting the future generations of the country.
About Universiti Malaya (UM)
UM is the country’s first university. Following the passing of the University of Malaya Act in 1961 by Parliament, UM was recognised as a public university. UM, as it is known today, was officially made a public university in the Federation of Malaya on 1 January 1962.
UM is supported by two academies, fourteen faculties, two institutes and one academic centre that encompass medicine, science, technology, social sciences and humanities. The university also houses Malaysia’s first and biggest teaching hospital - UMMC. In addition, the Research Cluster had been formed to drive further breakthroughs in knowledge. The emphasis on research is strengthened by the presence of centres of excellence at several of its learning centres.
UM has made a significant achievement by securing a position among the top 60 universities globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS-WUR) for 2025. This accomplishment marks a 5-place improvement from the previous year and a notable 10-place climb since the 2023 rankings. This new ranking positions UM in the top 4% of the 1,503 institutions evaluated by QS globally.