By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) marked a milestone in its international collaboration with Japan on education, research, and sustainable technology when it recently welcomed His Excellency Mr. Machida Shinya, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, The visit, coordinated by UMT’s International Centre, underscores the university’s commitment to global engagement and strategic partnerships that transcend borders.

Moderated by UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, the courtesy visit explored four key areas of collaboration. From Japan’s perspective, under the Takaichi Sanae-led government, a comprehensive economic package is driving strategic investments in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, shipbuilding, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. Beyond technology, Japan is also redefining its approach to food and energy security, with ambitious plans to make the fishery sector more resilient and achieve 5 trillion yen in exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products by 2030.

UMT’s Faculty of Science and Marine Environment and Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture are well-positioned to collaborate on these initiatives. Likewise, Japan’s “Green Transformation” (GX) aligns closely with Professor Zamri’s expertise in renewable hydrogen energy, offshore energy generation, and green technology, paving the way for joint development of innovative sustainable solutions.

The educational link between UMT and Japan runs deep. Beginning in 1985 with the legendary Matahari Expedition (Ekspedisi Matahari) in the Malacca Strait and South China Sea in partnership with Kagoshima University, UMT now maintains extensive collaborations with prestigious Japanese institutions, including Nagasaki University, Mie University, the University of Tsukuba, and the National Museum of Nature and Science. Programs such as the Terengganu Expedition, joint biological curations, and the AFIMA Leaders Programme continue to foster knowledge exchange between students and researchers from both countries.

Japan’s new economic roadmap, which empowers mid-sized companies to develop world-leading technologies, also opens valuable business opportunities arising from UMT-Japan collaboration.

People remain at the heart of this partnership. The courtesy visit featured special lunch and dinner events highlighting UMT’s vibrant Japan Alumni community. Esteemed academics, including Prof. Dato’ Dr. Annuar bin Hassan (Nagasaki University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim (Kagoshima University), and Prof. Dr. Abol Munafi Ambok Bolong (Ehime University), exemplify how UMT graduates who studied in Japan continue to strengthen academic and cultural ties. Their expertise, spanning oceanography to computing, nurtures a spirit of collaboration and respect that enriches the university.

With Consul-General Machida Shinya’s visit, UMT demonstrates its active role in international strategic discussions. As Japan builds a “robust economy” and UMT advances its mission of “Ocean of Discoveries, for Global Sustainability,” this partnership is poised to generate innovative solutions with far-reaching impact across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.