7 Days of Wisdom Without Borders Highlights (Day #5)

Pictures Syed Haikal Syafiq Syed Mohd Fazli, Muhammad Naufal Mohd Zulhilmi and Muhammad Nabil Mazlan

GUANGXI, 6 January 2026: Through the formal exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) further strengthened its strategic collaboration with Beibu Gulf University (BBGU) in the sun-kissed coastal city of Xingzhou, Guangxi. The ceremony, held under the Wisdom Without Borders (WWB) initiative, took place at 10.00 a.m. in the elegant boardroom of BBGU’s School of International Studies, drawing an encouraging turnout of more than 60 participants, comprising academic staff and students.

The meaningful engagement was officiated by Ms Liu Weiling (Jacqueline), Director of BBGU’s International Exchange Department, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Md Zawawi Abu Bakar, Dean of the Awang Had Salleh Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia. The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr Nurliyana Bukhari, Chair of the WWB Programme. Also present were UUM’s distinguished alumnus Dr Wu Deli (Lily), Dr Tan Kian Ann, a Malaysian lecturer at BBGU’s College of Marine Science, and Ms Zhao Chaijun (CJ), who is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at UUM.

BBGU is actively engaged in internationalisation through strategic partnerships with universities across ASEAN, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The university offers a range of English-taught programmes for international students in disciplines such as International Economics, Trade and Management, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, and Mechanical Engineering, and the Humanities, underscoring its multidisciplinary strength.

Central to its mission is cross-border collaboration, particularly in logistics and regional development, closely aligned with the economic landscape of the Beibu Gulf. The university further strengthens its global engagement through academic exchanges, shared resources, and participation in networks such as the Asian Gateway Knowledge Network (AGKN).

One of BBGU’s most compelling distinguishing features lies in its commitment to marine and coastal conservation, with a strong emphasis on community-based initiatives, applied research, and collaboration with fishing communities across the Beibu Gulf region. These efforts include the development of integrated beach waste management models and targeted projects aimed at reducing plastic pollution in ecologically sensitive areas such as Weizhou Island.

The UUM delegation expressed particular fascination upon learning about the presence of pink dolphins along the Beibu Gulf coastline, a powerful indicator of the positive environmental impact of BBGU’s sustained conservation efforts.

Following BBGU’s institutional presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hasniza Nordin led UUM’s introduction, highlighting key initiatives and programmes offered by the Future Learning and Development Competence Centre (FLanDeCC) under the School of Education (SoE), UUM. Among the programmes showcased were academic mobility exchanges, edutourism initiatives, and school-based English enhancement camps, all of which generated strong interest among BBGU participants.

After the MoU ceremony, students and staff were treated to a scenic campus tour aboard a multi-passenger buggy, offering a panoramic glimpse of BBGU’s expansive grounds. Spanning approximately 2,070 acres (838 hectares), the campus is home to more than 22,500 students, supported by 1,400 academic and administrative staff across 19 academic colleges. As the midday sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, the coastal breeze provided a refreshing accompaniment, creating a memorable conclusion to the visit.

The engagement concluded at approximately 1.00 p.m., as the UUM delegation departed for their next destination in China, carrying forward renewed partnerships, enriched perspectives, and the shared aspiration for sustained academic collaboration across borders. – Asyraf Shuib, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hasniza Nordin and Toh Yong Bing