KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 – The Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) marked a significant milestone today with the exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with STT Inc., Japan. The event, held in the main meeting room at MJIIT’s UTM Kuala Lumpur campus, was attended by distinguished delegates and senior officials from both institutions.
Notable representatives from STT Inc. included Takizawa Shinichi, General Manager and Tochigi Ryohei, Manager, both of the Research & Development Division, who joined the ceremony to formalize this pivotal collaboration. Their presence underscored STT Inc.’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening ties with MJIIT.
The ceremony, presided over by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain, Dean of MJIIT, highlighted the strengthening ties between Malaysia and Japan in the field of tribology, specifically in the development of grease lubrication technology. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing research and fostering industrial collaboration.
In her address, Dr. Nurulakmar acknowledged the significant achievements of the collaboration between UTM MJITT and STT. She highlighted the official visit of the STT delegation, led by its President, Tafakumi Sugasawa, to MJITT on 19 May 2023. This visit played a pivotal role in strengthening mutual understanding and partnership between the two institutions.
Dr. Nurulakmar also emphasized the success of industrial training opportunities facilitated by this collaboration. Two undergraduate students from MJIIT completed their industrial training at STT in 2019 and 2023, respectively. These internships provided them with invaluable exposure to industry practices and help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world applications.
In addition to industrial training, the partnership has contributed significantly to employment success. Five MJIIT graduates have secured positions at STT Inc. showcasing the program’s positive impact on career opportunities and professional growth. This accomplishment underscores the effectiveness of the collaboration in preparing graduates for competitive roles in the industry.
The collaboration extends beyond education and employment, encompassing research and development initiatives. STT has awarded a research grant to the Tribology and Precision Machining (Triprem) i-Kohza, enhancing tribology research at MJIIT. As part of this initiative, a Master’s student supported by the grant will undertake an internship at STT from mid-July to mid-October 2025, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to research advancements.
These achievements are a testament to the deep-rooted and impactful collaboration between MJIIT and STT Inc. paving the way for future breakthroughs in tribology.
A key enabler of this partnership has been the Malaysia-Japan Linkage Office, which has facilitated seamless communication and strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The office plays a pivotal role in fostering academic, industrial, and governmental collaborations, acting as a bridge for knowledge sharing and partnership building.
Dr. Nurulakmar expressed hope that this collaboration would inspire similar initiatives between academic institutions and industries worldwide, emphasizing that the MoA represents ‘a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence’.
As the ceremony concluded, attendees celebrated the symbolic exchange, looking forward to the transformative potential of this partnership in advancing engineering education and industrial innovation.