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The UTM-Malaysian-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) made an impact in the Middle East during the 8th International Conference on Advanced Technology and Applied Science (ICATAS) 2023. The conference was hosted by the Arab Academy of Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in October 2023, in Aswan, Egypt.
It showcased cutting-edge research and sought to foster promising international collaborations. Highlighted were recent advancements in technology, applied sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development. Under the guidance of Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat, the MJIIT organising committee played a pivotal role in co-organising ICATAS2023.
Delegates from diverse academic and research backgrounds participated, presenting 80 papers on a wide range of technological and applied science topics, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, materials science, and environmental sustainability. This exchange of knowledge underscored the power of international collaboration in advancing technological and scientific excellence.
MJIIT delegates engaged in discussions with the AASTMT President and other esteemed AASTMT members. These talks explored possibilities for collaboration in various areas, such as joint Master’s programs, student exchanges, research partnerships, and the establishment of an AASTMT Summer School at MJIIT. This multifaceted collaboration promises to enhance both institutions’ expertise and knowledge exchange.
Furthermore, discussions with the Vice President for Education and Student Affairs focused on collaborative activities between AASTMT and the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). UTM-MJIIT is set to organise the 9th International Conference on Advanced Technology and Applied Science 2024 @ ICATAS2024.
MJIIT also expanded its influence in the Middle East by visiting the University of Sharjah in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. This visit laid the groundwork for potential joint Master’s programs in Management Technology and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Prior to the visit, virtual discussions between MJIIT and the University of Sharjah, hosted by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, paved the way for future educational and research initiatives.
UTM-MJIIT’s Middle East journey, centred around ICATAS 2023, transcended beyond a conference; it served as a platform to bridge gaps, foster international cooperation, and pave the way for future technology-focused collaborations. This partnership underlines UTM-MJIIT’s commitment to advancing technological excellence and global knowledge exchange.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, OpenGov Asia reported that Japan and Malaysia closely collaborated to contain the spread of the virus, the Japanese ambassador to Malaysia recently highlighted. The contribution by the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), established in 2011 with Japanese development assistance as a centre of excellence in technology research, is a case in point. Face shields manufactured by cutting-edge three-dimensional printers in MJIIT are put to use for the protection of medical front-liners.
MJIIT is the culmination of long-lasting bilateral cooperation under the Look East Policy, which was launched in 1981. The significance of Japanese developmental cooperation lies in the prioritisation of human resource development. For instance, there are nine Japanese professors teaching at MJIIT, sharing state-of-the-art Japanese engineering expertise. Under the Look East Policy, more than 17,000 Malaysians studied in Japan, and they are now playing leading roles in Malaysia.
