PENANG marked a historic milestone today with the official launch of the Boya Institute Penang Office, Phoenix Asia Academy of Technology, and Metaverse Universal College (MVUC) at the Convent Pulau Tikus (CPT) Campus.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the inauguration, noted that the event was a significant initiative in transforming the former school grounds into a dynamic hub of learning, innovation and opportunity.
“Penang has always been a land of knowledge. Our state has a long and proud legacy of educational excellence, built on generations of institutions that have shaped leaders, thinkers and changemakers. Today, we uphold that legacy while embracing the future.
“This CPT Campus, once the cherished home of Convent Pulau Tikus, is reborn as a thriving centre for intellectual exchange – a place where educators, students and visionaries will come together to learn, collaborate and push the boundaries of possibility,” Chow said in his speech.
He highlighted the historic significance of the occasion, as Boya Institute, carrying the academic spirit and excellence of Peking University, has chosen Penang as its first overseas home.
“We hope that this choice can never be wrong. As chief minister, I extend my warmest welcome. Penang is not just a location – it is a place where ideas flourish, where cultures meet, and where ambitions are realised. Boya’s presence here signals Penang’s growing role on the world stage as a centre for global academic excellence,” Chow said.
Already one of the top destinations for international students in Malaysia, particularly from China, Chow believes that this campus will further attract the world’s brightest minds while nurturing local talent.
He emphasised that local universities must rise to the challenge, viewing the arrival of world-renowned institutions in Malaysia not as a threat, but as an opportunity.
“We must embrace collaboration rather than competition, foster research partnerships, and raise our academic standards so that our institutions can stand alongside the best in the world, including Peking University.”
Chow thanked Boya Institute, Phoenix Asia and Metaverse Universal College for driving this transformation, and preparing the people for a technological revolution shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and digital connectivity.
Prof Dr Kenneth Quah, founder and president of Phoenix Asia Academy of Technology and MVUC, noted that the revitalisation of the CPT campus continues Penang’s rich academic heritage while expanding its global perspective. The campus, he said, will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation, connecting China, ASEAN, South Asia, and beyond.
“For over 127 years, the spirit of Boya has been the guiding force behind Peking University’s pursuit of truth, free thought, and academic excellence. It is symbolised by the Boya Pagoda, standing tall by the serene Wuming Lake in Beijing – a beacon of knowledge, resilience, and innovation. And today, we mark a historic first. That very spirit has landed in Penang – Boya Institute,” Prof Dr Quah said.
Although Phoenix Asia is just eight years old, Prof Dr Quah said he was proud to move to CPT campus, given that the school was established 103 years ago.
“Today, as we stand in a building that has witnessed over a century of learning, we inherit not just its walls but its values. We at Phoenix Asia and MVUC proudly carry forward a motto rooted in this historic foundation: ‘Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty,’” he added.
MVUC currently offers diplomas in Hotel Management, Culinary Arts, and Business and is launching additional programmes in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse Design, and Science.
Hu Jian, vice-president of Boya Institute, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural academic exchange, elite education partnerships, and international talent development. He stated that Boya Institute would establish deep collaborations with universities and research institutions in Penang and the surrounding regions, fostering academic progress and technological innovation.
“With Penang as the first overseas home of the Boya spirit, this city will become a key hub for global academic collaboration, offering future leaders a broader platform for development,” Hu Jian said.
The event was marked by the signing of an agreement between Prof Dr Kenneth Quah, on behalf of MVUC, and Michael Wang, director of the International Project Department of Boya Institute, Penang office, witnessed by Chow and Hu Jian.
This was followed by a few other signings of agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding between Prof Dr Quah, on behalf of MVUC, and Jack Tan, the managing director of Entrepreneurs Empowering Entrepreneurs (E3).
Among the distinguished guests at the ceremony were state executive councillors Wong Hon Wai and Lim Siew Khim, and Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud