JOHOR BAHRU, June 24 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted a focused Erasmus+ sharing session with representatives from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FKTTP), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), at UTM International, Johor Bahru.

The UMPSA delegation was led by Prof. Ts. Dr. Sumaiya Zainal Abidin @ Murad, Dean of FTKKP, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Rohayu Jusoh, Deputy Dean of Research & Postgraduate Studies, as well as Dr. Rosmawati Naim, Head of Programme for Lifelong Learning & Master by Coursework. Their visit aimed to gain more in-depth guidance on Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJM) and Erasmus+ KA171 Mobility programmes.

From UTM, the session was facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) for Malaysia and Director of UTM International. Also present were Dr. Ain Naadia Mazlan, Erasmus+ Coordinator and Manager of International Alliances, and Nur Masitoh Islamiah, Executive of ENFP Malaysia. Their combined expertise provided both academic and administrative perspectives on navigating the Erasmus+ landscape.

The visit was a follow-up to a previous sharing session held at UMPSA and was initiated by the UMPSA team to gain more in-depth and personalised guidance on EMJM and Erasmus+ KA171 Mobility programmes. Dr. Ariffin shared valuable insights on how to develop competitive proposals, highlighting practical steps in identifying European partner institutions, planning proposal timelines, and aligning project goals with Erasmus+ priorities. He also discussed key factors that influence proposal success, based on UTM’s extensive experience in Erasmus+ collaborations. During the session, Dr. Ariffin also introduced the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme, which was relatively new to the visiting team. UTM International complemented the discussion by sharing internal strategies, lessons learned, and important tips related to cross-border project implementation.

A key challenge raised by the UMPSA team was the process of identifying suitable international partners. In response, UTM strongly recommended close engagement with UMPSA International Office, as Erasmus+ proposals require institutional-level coordination. Involving both academic and international representatives early on is crucial for alignment, readiness, and successful applications.

The half-day session was conducted in a productive and welcoming environment. The session concluded with mutual interest to sustain communication and explore further collaboration. This initiative also aligns with ENFP Malaysia’s broader mission to support Malaysian higher education institutions in unlocking the potential of Erasmus+ funding and international partnership building.

Prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan & Nur Masitoh Islamiah Mustaffa Kamal