Xiamen University Special: Students set to flock to an academic home from home

Haw Choon Yian, an assistant professor of new-energy science and engineering at XMUM, said the traditional primary sources of energy - coal, natural gas and petroleum - are being depleted at a rapid rate, so the program promotes the discovery of better, new energy options.

Haw Choon Yian teaches students in a laboratory. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It is"the first and only program of its kind to be launched at a Malaysian private or public university", said the 30-year-old lecturer, who teaches several courses, including general physics laboratory experiments and techniques, physics and the corrosion and protection of materials.

"The combination of the job market, the rising demand for energy and the need to solve environmental problems, such as excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, means it is our most attractive course," he said, adding that the program is an "eye-opener" for local students and is playing an important role in the growth of the new campus.

Half the battle

The campus has developed at a rapid pace since construction began in July 2014. The first phase, covering 260,000 sqm, is now operational, and is home to nearly 2,000 students. The Class of 2017, including 500 students from China, will enroll in September.

Zhang Jianlin, assistant president of Xiamen University, who has been working to facilitate the construction of the new campus since 2012, said XMUM has benefitted greatly from the support of the Chinese and Malaysian governments, as well as businesses and philanthropists in the two countries.

The second phase of construction began recently. By 2020, XMUM is expected to have at least 5,000 students, but the number will eventually reach a maximum of 10,000.

Most of the students will come from China, Malaysia, and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"As pioneers in setting up and running a campus overseas, we hope to build it as a model that other Chinese universities with similar plans will be able to follow," said Zhang, who is also a professor of construction engineering at Xiamen University." We would like to share our experiences, the ups and downs we have experienced in recent years."

Zhu, president of Xiamen University, said such an undertaking is never easy because of barriers, challenges and even risks.

"You have to obey the laws and regulations of the other country, and understand, respect and adapt to the culture and the education system. Moreover, as construction funds are mainly raised via bank loans, the risks involved in raising funds and repaying loans should also be fully considered," he said.