By Foo Ming Li

The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang donated RM50,000 to Han Chiang University College of Communication’s (HCUC) School of Chinese Studies on December 8, 2020. 

The former Chinese Studies Resource Room had been converted to the Chinese Research Centre after the president of the China Consulate General had a discussion with HCUC Board of Directors to build a research centre on campus.

The Dean of HCUC School of Chinese Studies, Dr Yeoh Kim Chuan said that this donation from the Consulate will be used to purchase more research books for the Chinese Research Centre.

“The total amount of research materials cost 77,776 Chinese Yuan, which is approximately RM50,000 after currency conversion,” Dr Yeoh added. 

HCUC is thankful for the generosity of the Chinese Consulate General in Penang, Lu Shiwei, who is passionate about intercultural exchange via educational and economic collaborations between China and Malaysia.

The Dean of School of Chinese Studies explained that the Chinese Consulate General and the HCUC Board of Directors agreed to build the Chinese Research Centre in November 2019. The Research Centre grants students or scholars easy access to research materials.

Previously, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang had donated books that were worth RM70,000 for the opening of the Chinese Research Centre in November 2019.

The HCUC Board of Directors had decided to renovate the former Chinese Studies Resource Room, converting the Room to the Chinese Research Centre. 

“After the facility had been renovated, the Consulate generously donated 700 books worth RM70,000, and these books were bought from Xin Zhi Bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. The donated books covered topics such as Chinese culture, philosophy, art, and history which helps the Chinese Studies students and scholars to enhance their research and literature knowledge,” Dr Yeoh said.

The Chinese Research Centre will also be utilised as a resource by postgraduate students.