Kuala lumpur: Institut Penyelidikan Tenaga Suria (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has forged a strategic collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) to strengthen the network of research, innovation and energy policy development in the region, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable energy transition. SERI director Prof Dr Norasikin Ahmad Ludin stated that the cooperation not only strengthens UKM's position as a leader in energy research in the region, but also expands its role in translating innovations to solutions that have a real impact on the ASEAN community and energy policies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the collaboration was signed by UKM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Sufian Jusoh and ACE executive director Datuk Razib Dawood at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. This marks the first time that UKM has formalized an agreement with ACE, although the two parties have previously collaborated in various energy-related events.

Norasikin emphasized that the collaboration focuses on promoting and disseminating research results that contribute to the development of regional energy policies. The collaboration will also include energy-related training, conferences and seminars, and mobility opportunities for students and researchers to expand academic networks and share expertise in Southeast Asia.

UKM plans to concentrate its research efforts on renewable energy fields such as new generation solar technology, hybrid energy models, and regional energy policy analysis. These efforts aim to support the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).

Norasikin highlighted that ACE, as the main coordinator of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and regional energy policy reference body, plays a crucial role in applying UKM's research to create tangible impacts through policy intervention, investment strategies, and strengthening energy capabilities across ASEAN.