The 7th International Conference on Culture-oriented Science & Technology (CoST 2026), jointly organised by TAR UMT and the Communication University of China (CUC), was held in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka from 13 to 16 August 2026.
The conference marked a significant milestone as the first edition to be hosted by an overseas university and the first to be held outside China. More than 160 academics, researchers and industry experts from Malaysia and China attended the four-day event to exchange ideas on the integration of culture and technology and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
In his opening address, TAR UMT Vice President Associate Professor Dr Chook Ka Joo said hosting CoST 2026 in Malaysia reflects the University's commitment to strengthening academic collaboration between Malaysia and China while promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation in the cultural and technology sectors.
"The conference provides an important platform for scholars and professionals from both countries to share research findings, exchange ideas and explore innovative applications of technology in the cultural and creative industries," he said.
CUC Vice President, Professor Chai Jianping, said in a video recording that rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), big data and virtual reality are transforming the way culture is created, preserved and communicated. He noted that these developments have created new opportunities for cultural innovation while also presenting fresh challenges for international cultural exchange.
He added that CoST 2026 aims to serve as an open international platform for dialogue, bringing together researchers and practitioners to discuss emerging trends, share best practices and explore future directions for the integration of culture and technology.
The conference featured a series of parallel sessions covering topics such as digital cultural heritage preservation, intelligent media and communication, cross-cultural technology exchange, and other emerging areas. Participants engaged in discussions on current research, technological applications and industry developments to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry.
The signing of the MoU between TAR UMT and CUC. (from left to right) Ms Zhong Dandan, Director, Office of International Office, CUC, Associate Professor Dr Chook, Ms Dearna Kee June Chen, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (FCCI).
In addition to the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between TAR UMT and CUC. The strategic agreement focuses on academic knowledge and best-practice sharing, as well as staff and student engagement aimed at strengthening academic and intercultural interaction. It provides a framework for collaborative research projects involving academics and researchers from both institutions, joint academic initiatives such as seminars, conferences, workshops, and mutually identified initiatives. Furthermore, the MoU facilitates staff exchanges for teaching and research, student exchanges for study and research program participation, and the development of long-term institutional partnerships and collaborative activities mutually agreed upon by both universities.
The International Conference on Culture-oriented Science & Technology was initiated by the Expert Committee of China's National Cultural Science and Technology Innovation Programme and has grown into a recognised international academic platform focusing on the convergence of culture and technology.
Previous editions of the conference were hosted by leading institutions in China, including the Communication University of China, the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou University, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Lanzhou University of Arts and Science.
Professor Jiang Wei (leftmost), Conference Chair from CUC, shaking hands with Associate Professor Dr Chook (centre), while Professor Dr Lim Tong Ming (rightmost), Conference Chair from TAR UMT and Director of the Centre for Business Incubation and Entrepreneurial Ventures (CBIEV) of TAR UMT, looks on.
