Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s recognized academic standing and growing global network has attracted a university from Japan to explore a possible collaboration.

A delegate from Japan’s Kindai University, led by Prof. Dr. Eng. Nishiyabu Kazuaki and Prof. Dr. Eng. Takaomi Matsutani, has come to UMT recently for this purpose.

This visit was also a significant milestone for the Hikari No Michi: Leading Through Change programme, which is an international delegation initiative under UMT Residential College, led by the Residential College Representative Committee (JPKK), to build global connections through academic exposure and student leadership development.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim chaired a session to discuss research collaboration, academic exchange, student mobility, and dual-degree opportunities. Both UMT and Kindai University have expressed a desire to conduct collaborative research, particularly in marine science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

As a preliminary outcome, both institutions have identified several opportunities for collaboration, such as the development of joint research projects, the implementation of short-term student mobility programs, the planning of bilateral workshops, and the provision of micro-credential courses involving researchers from both countries. This collaboration is seen as an important foundation towards building a more sustainable and high-impact academic network. 

In the future, UMT plans to expand its international academic programs and formalize its collaboration with Kindai University through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The delegation was also taken to the Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy (CEFORE), a high-impact research centre established through collaboration between UMT and Petronas, where they gained comprehensive insights into ongoing renewable energy innovations that open up potential for new collaborative research initiatives between the two universities.

In an effort to highlight the university’s ecosystem and capabilities, UMT student representatives took the delegation on a series of guided tours, including Research Vessel (RV) Discovery, Serambi Niaga@Kolej Kediaman, and the Aquaculture Fisheries Laboratory Complex, all of which showcase UMT’s strengths in marine innovation and student entrepreneurship.

The delegation was also exposed to the cultural identity, local development, and social landscape of the state of Terengganu through visits to Pulau Duyong, Pulau Sekati, and the Drawbridge Gallery.

UMT has benefited greatly from this delegation visit, especially in terms of enhancing its academic standing and growing its global network. The bilateral exchanges not only strengthened mutual understanding of each institution’s strengths but also opened the opportunity for knowledge exchange and alignment of academic programs that will deliver advantageous outcomes for students and academics.

This visit shows that internationalization is an all-encompassing endeavour to create a worldwide community that mutually promotes the improvement of education, research, and student development rather than just an academic exchange.

By: Muhammad Haris Syahmi Hashim & Amalina Zulkifli, UMT Residential College