PENANG, June 2017 – The School of Distance Education (SDE), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), played host to a delegation from the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) who has selected Penang and Kuala Lumpur as the locations for their MSc of Applied Economics field study programme during their visit to Malaysia recently.

The course is offered by the Department of Economics, School of Business, under the Master Science in Applied Economics (MScAEcon) programme at HKBU. It is an elective course aimed at providing the postgraduate students some overseas field study experiences, broadening their global vision and enriching their international exposure.

The Dean of SDE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Fadzil Farid Wajidi in his welcoming remarks said: “Basically, we aim to provide exposure to our guests on the general overview of the Malaysian economy.”

“Besides that, we also want to provide some practical experience about how economic planning is being made in this country, giving room to contemplate on the similarities and differences with Hong Kong,” he said.

During their time in USM, the delegates had the opportunity to listen to two special lecture series by USM's economists, Professor Dr. Suresh Narayanan and Dr. Ku' Azam Tuan Lonik, and engaged in discussions with the academic staff.

They were also brought to visit the Tenaga National Berhad’s Gelugor Power Station and Jabil Circuit Sdn. Bhd. to experience the vibrancy of Penang’s industrial hub.

HKBU was represented by Programme Director of MScAEcon, Dept. of Economics, School of Business, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Ying Chu.

In Kuala Lumpur, they visited two of the country’s foremost financial institutions, Bank Negara Malaysia and Employees Provident Fund, as well as the Institute for Health Systems Research under the Ministry of Health to explore the country’s healthcare policy.

Overall, the group spent 10 days in Malaysia from 12 – 21 June 2017 and left for Singapore for their final leg of study tour before heading back to Hong Kong.

Original Text and Photo: School of Distance Education USM/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe