His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Chancellor of Universiti Malaya witnessed the donation of Francisco Villa's painting collection by the Embassy of Mexico to Universiti Malaya in conjunction with celebrating 49 years of friendship between Mexico and Malaysia.
Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Profesor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor in his speech said that we are gathered here today to celebrate 49 years of meaningful friendship between Malaysia and Mexico, through which both countries have mutually benefited from economic, trade, technological, cultural and people-to-people ties. In celebrating this highly treasured friendship, the Centre of Latin American Studies, in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico in Malaysia, has the pleasure to invite all present today to witness the presentation of seven pieces of art works as a gift to Universiti Malaya, by courtesy of His Excellency Edmundo Font, the Ambassador of Mexico to Malaysia.
“The seven pieces of art works, from Ambassador Font’s personal collection, are tributes in memory of the great Mexican hero General Francisco Pancho Villa. Universiti Malaya is privileged to receive this gift in conjunction with this 2023 Mexican ‘Year of General Francisco Villa’. On behalf of Universiti Malaya, I thank Ambassador Edmundo Font and the Embassy of Mexico for this gift of great cultural and historical significance, and for the goodwill and generosity embedded in the gift. Universiti Malaya undertakes that these treasured pieces of art works shall be exhibited appropriately and prominently to showcase their artistic, cultural and historical values.
“On behalf of Universiti Malaya, I should also take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Embassy of Mexico for other prized items it had gifted us at earlier times. Our Centre of Latin American Studies now has the largest collection of Spanish books in Southeast Asia, thanks to the generosity of the Embassy of Mexico. These Mexican publications, numbered 300 and spanning a wide range of disciplines, are valued at RM43,000.
“We have also received from the Embassy of Mexico some printed reports on trade, economy and finance related to Mexico. These reports augment our repository of knowledge about Latin America, and specifically about Mexico. The setting up of the Mexico corner here at our Centre of Latin America Studies was made possible through items such as the flag and map of Mexico, Mexican crafts – and the collection of 300 Spanish books – gifted by the Embassy of Mexico. Ambassador Edmundo Font, thank you again for your kind support for our endeavours to understand and connect better with Mexico,” Professor Hamdi said.
According to Ambassador of Mexico to Malaysia, His Excellency Edmundo Font Lopez, Malaysia has been on a sustainable development path-one in which it is able to sustain future standards of living with the growth of produced capital and human capital more than compensating for the erosion that has occurred in the value of its natural capital.
“From the importance of higher education institutions being adaptable and innovative, to the value of the Humanities, a common thread has been how universities can engage with and give back to society. They do this by training students to be able to make valuable contributions; they do it by generating research that benefits humanity. And universities also give back to society through their leaders, Leaders who will speak out and stand up for what they believe, and who argue for it rationally and articulately.
“Lastly, I would like to reiterate our gratitude to have with us a great witness of honor of a tribute to a Mexican historical figure as relevant as General Francisco Villa, whom Mexico officially consecrates this 2023.
“It´s also important to enhance our symbolic activity today, organized by the well-known Universiti Malaya, also allows us to continue the dialogue with its center for Latin American studies. It has been thanks to the support and initiatives of its director, the prestigious economist Dr. Mario Ruiz Estrada, that Mexico has been present in this house of studies, through the donation of books, exhibitions, colloquiums with Mexican universities and today with the donation of an iconographic collection of the universal figure of our revolutionary Pancho Villa,” he said.
