UTM Hosts Zhejiang University: Advancing AI Together

Dr. Noor Hafizah Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) had the honour of hosting an academic visit from Zhejiang University (ZJU) in China, which is ranked among the top 50 universities in the QS World University Rankings. The event took place at Dewan Seminar, Menara Razak, in UTM Kuala Lumpur and included a delegation of 40 students and 7 faculty members from the College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering at ZJU, alongside members from UTM’s Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI). This day-long program served as a platform for international collaboration, academic sharing, technological exchange, and cultural appreciation.

ZJU Delegation with Vice-Chancellor of UTM, UTM Registrar and FAI Top Management

The esteemed delegation from ZJU consisted of Prof. Shi Zhiguo (Vice Dean), Prof. Wang Wei (Vice Dean), Adjunct Prof. Susanto Rahardja, Zhong Tingting, Chen Mengyao, Shu Jianhang, and Meng Xianqian. Their involvement highlighted the university’s dedication to global engagement in research, innovation, and education.

Welcoming address by Dean FAI Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Naz’ri Mahrin

The event began with a welcoming address from Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Naz’ri Mahrin, Dean of FAI UTM. He emphasised UTM’s mission to lead in responsible AI development and foster meaningful international collaboration. He highlighted how strategic academic visits, such as this one, contribute to strengthening bilateral ties, nurturing talent, and driving research that has a tangible impact in the real world. Adjunct Prof. Susanto Rahardja, representing ZJU, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed the institution’s eagerness to enhance academic, research, and student exchange programmes with UTM.

Introduction Speech by Adjunct Professor Susanto Rahardja

Sharing on Deepseek Success Story by Prof Wang Wei

A major highlight of the program was the keynote presentation by Prof. Wang Wei, who shared the inspiring journey behind DeepSeek, a leading open-source large language model (LLM) founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, an alumnus of Zhejiang University. Liang’s background in communication engineering and computational finance led to the establishment of DeepSeek, which has garnered global recognition for achieving performance comparable to GPT-4 using efficient AI architectures. Prof. Wang emphasised that DeepSeek serves as a prime example of academic entrepreneurship, transforming university research into global technological innovation.

Academic Sharing by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Khairi Abu Husain

The event included a presentation titled “AI-Driven Innovation: From Lab to Market in the Oil & Gas Industry,” delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Khairi Abu Husain from FAI UTM. This session highlighted UTM’s practical applications of AI in the oil and gas sector, including digital twin systems, intelligent monitoring, and predictive analytics, showcasing how university research is being successfully translated into industrial innovation.

In parallel to the academic sessions, a strategic closed-door dialogue was held between academic leaders from ZJU and UTM. The discussion focused on establishing long-term institutional partnerships through collaborative research projects, co-supervision of postgraduate students, and opportunities for academic partnerships. Additionally, they proposed the creation of an AI Joint Laboratory. Both parties agreed to work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their collaboration and initiate pilot programs in the near future.

Academic Sharing by Dr. Marwan Hadri Azmi

In the evening, the program continued with a technical session led by Dr. Marwan Hadri Azmi, an academic expert in wireless communication from FAI. He shared insights on the convergence of AI with wireless technologies, including 5G, edge computing, and IoT systems. His session emphasised the critical role of next-generation wireless infrastructure in facilitating scalable and intelligent AI ecosystems.

Malaysia’s traditional games, Congkak and Batu Seremban, played by Zhejiang University students

The day ended on a positive note with an exciting cultural exchange session. Students from both institutions participated in traditional Malaysian games, such as congkak and batu seremban, savoured local delicacies, and engaged in cultural storytelling. This experience fostered a deeper mutual understanding and helped build new international friendships.

This academic visit showcases UTM’s commitment to globalisation and Zhejiang University’s dedication to cross-border innovation. As both institutions look ahead, this collaboration establishes a solid foundation for significant advancements in AI research, education, and global technology.