A year’s plan begins in spring. At the beginning of spring, Dr. Yap Meen Sheng, Assistant Provost of Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), has led an academic delegation to Shenyang to pursue educational cooperation in Liaoning Province.

Within a year, Dr. Yap has made several trips to Shenyang, a city whose unique charm deeply captivates him. In his spare time, he wandered through the Shenyang Imperial Palace and lingered at the Liaoning Provincial Museum, marvelling at the province’s profound historical and cultural heritage. “Shenyang boasts abundant historical sites, with well-preserved museums and ancient architectural complexes that vividly record the history of this land,” Dr. Yap noted.

What impressed him even more is the character of Shenyang locals. “They are straightforward, warm, inclusive, thoughtful, eager to communicate and open to diverse perspectives,” Dr. Yap said. “Smooth communication with all sectors in Shenyang has laid a solid foundation for our cooperation, making them excellent partners.”

During this trip, Dr. Yap visited several high schools and universities, including Northeast Yucai School, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology and Shenyang Jianzhu University. He engaged in warm exchanges with teachers and students, and spoke highly of Liaoning’s educational standards and curricular initiatives. On behalf of SUSS, he facilitated the signing of the memorandum of understanding articulating cooperation with Shenyang University of Chemical Technology and the Northeast Institute of Population and Social Development, covering joint training, applied research cooperation and talent development in the fields of Ageing and Social Work.

As a Singaporean institution renowned for its close ties with industries and communities, SUSS prioritizes practice and application. Dr. Yap hopes to bring the educational philosophy of “lifelong learning” to Shenyang, promoting mutual learning and innovation in educational models between the two sides.

In recent years, Dr. Yap has continuously facilitated educational cooperation between SUSS and Liaoning. On March 11, he led the launch of the Singapore University of Social Sciences Success Academy Shenyang Centre jointly with senior academic and administration leaders of the university, and local partners, indicating that the bilateral cooperation has entered a new stage of substantive operation. Dr. Yap hoped that this platform would serve as a springboard to further promote academic exchanges, talent cultivation and applied research cooperation between universities in Liaoning Province and Singapore.

“There is vast potential for educational cooperation between Liaoning Province and Singapore,” Dr. Yap said. “The SUSS Success Academy Shenyang Centre is a wonderful start. We hope to take this as catalyst to actively expand cooperation areas, foster impactful initiatives and jointly establish a new milestone in our educational collaboration.”