KUALA LUMPUR, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) today announced the launch of the Malaysia-Japan Linkage (MJL) office, during the Malaysia-Japan Industrial and Innovation Expo 2024 (MJIIX2024), which marks a significant milestone in enhancing academic and industrial collaboration between Malaysia and Japan.
UTM, in a statement, said the MJL office at the university was officiated by Deputy Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, marking the third phase of the project, running from July 2023 to 2028, following the first phase (2010-2017) and the second phase (2018-April 2023).
It said that the MJL office also aims to establish the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT UTM) as a prominent Japanese Industrial and Education Hub between ASEAN and Japan, serving as a sustainable platform for collaboration with Japanese universities and industries.
Mustapha, in the same statement, said the office will facilitate expanded collaboration with Japanese industry and universities, in e
ducation and research.
‘(These) initiatives include academic and research collaboration, talent development programmes, joint seminars, workshops and conferences,’ he said.
The statement said the MJL office would also strengthen relationships with the Japanese University Consortium (JUC) and international institutes, enhancing programmes in emerging areas such as Disaster Preparedness and Prevention, Food Security, Halal, and Green Technology.
Through staff exchange programmes with JUC partners, cross-appointments and postdoctoral appointments, the MJL office aims to ensure sustainable collaboration to drive innovation, enhance educational programmes and develop cutting-edge research which can contribute to the growth and development of both Malaysia and Japan.
Meanwhile, UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail said the MJL office will enable MJIIT to become a leading laboratory and testing institution, offering opportunities for standout research and knowledge exchange, in engineering and sc
ience.
‘The special laboratories will serve as an International Open Research Centre in the ASEAN region, promoting research and development (RandD) capabilities in Malaysia, encouraging joint research and providing advanced science and technology to other ASEAN countries,’ he said.
Ahmad Fauzi added that the MJIIT laboratory at UTM is currently equipped with the most advanced technologies in Malaysia.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
