On 8 September 2022, Asia Centre and Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, Taylor’s University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU was signed just prior to the launch of the Asia Centre and Google report titled “Youth and Disinformation in Malaysia: Strengthening Electoral Integrity” hosted by the School of Media and Communications at Lecture 21 on the Lakeside Campus of Taylor’s University. You can read the report launch article here.
The MoU ceremony and signing was conducted onsite at Taylor’s University and attended by faculty representatives.
Dr Neethiahnanthan A/L M Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, Taylor’s University emphasized the importance of the MoU with Asia Centre for enhancing research, academic events and student internships. Asia Centre’s Regional Director, James Gomez also echoed the importance of MoU with Taylor’s University and outlined concrete projects such as media literacy training for staff members and students, the Centre’s annual conference and internships for communications and media students.
The MoU signing materialised following a series of engagements with Taylor’s University. It began with the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Loh Yew Hoong, senior lecturer at the School of Media & Communication, Taylor’s University and an Asia Centre Associate during Asia Centre and Thai Media Fund report launch event titled “Infodemic and SDGs: Internet Freedoms in Southeast Asia” on August 2021. Dr. Loh Yew Hoong was a speaker during Asia Centre second panel discussion titled “Respect for Human Rights: Measurement and Implementation of Public Health Policy in Southeast Asia”, during which he discussed COVID-19 misinformation in Malaysia causing xenophobia towards migrant workers and refugees.
Since his appointment, Dr. Loh Yew Hoong has published a total of 5 articles on Malaysian socio-political issues in the Nikkei Asia, Malaysiakini and The Vibes with the Asia Centre Associate tagline.
In October 2021, when Asia Centre and Taylor’s University convened a webinar titled “Media Ethics and Journalism in Malaysia”. Dr. Loh Yew Hoong was once again a speaker. The discussion focused on the lack of support for Malaysian journalists leading to instability and lack of visibility in the industry.
This is Asia Centre’s 1st MoU with a Malaysian Institution. It builds on Asia Centre’s prior engagement with Malaysian Universities and non-governmental organisations since 2018.
If you like to collaborate with Asia Centre and sign an MoU email us at contact@asiacentre.org
