This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. To further enhance exchanges and cooperation with universities in member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics (GDUFE) welcomed a group of 50 students and faculty from Malaysia's Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) for a study tour from June 12th to 21st.
Wang Shaobin, Dean of the School of Art and Design at GDUFE, emphasized that innovation and development in design are closely linked to international perspectives and cross-cultural exchanges. Hence, the school actively engages in inter-university cooperation and international exchanges. By establishing partnerships with renowned universities and research institutions worldwide, they aim to adopt advanced teaching concepts and research achievements, collectively promoting the development of art and design disciplines.
TAR UMT is a prestigious university in Malaysia, known for its excellent teaching quality and rich research outcomes. This visit marks the beginning of a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between our institutions, Wang Shaobin stated. In the following exchange activities, both parties will focus on the latest international academic trends, explore new concepts and methods in art and design education, and share experiences and achievements in teaching, research, and creation. This collaboration aims to achieve more results in academic research, faculty and student exchanges, and curriculum development.
During the academic exchange segment, the study group participated in an art exhibition, themed forums, lectures, sharing sessions, and specialized courses. At the Farmers' Painting Forum and Longmen Farmers' Painting and Cultural and Creative Design Exhibition hosted by the university, the study group engaged in academic discussions, art displays, and cultural exchanges, actively exploring topics related to farmers' paintings and cultural and creative design in both China and Malaysia.
During the lecture on traditional culture and design communication, Yang Hongyou discussed strategies and methods for selecting topics for graduation projects. Yao Lizhu, starting from Malaysian traditional culture, shared the charm of local culture and art, deepening students' understanding and interest in Malaysian art. The lecture also featured Professor Lv Shaofan from the Department of Sculpture at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, who talked about the design story of the sculpture at the north gate of GDUFE, sharing the creativity and concepts behind the design.
To showcase the distinctive folk culture of Lingnan, the cultural experience segment in the Greater Bay Area included visits to Yongqing Fang, the Chinese Artists Association, and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum. These visits helped the study group understand the history and unique artistic charm of Cantonese opera. The group also visited the Bai'etan Greater Bay Area Art Center, where they toured the Guangdong Museum of Art, the Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Center, and the Guangdong Literature Hall, deepening their understanding of China's excellent traditional culture.
During their visit to Greater Bay Area enterprises, the study group toured renowned enterprises such as Guangdong PITO Technology Co., Ltd, and GIMC, discussing topics like student employment and university-industry cooperation.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
