GOTHENBURG, Sept 12 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has successfully concluded its participation at the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2025 Conference & Exhibition, held from 9 to 12 September in Gothenburg, Sweden. This prestigious global platform brought together thousands of higher education leaders under the theme “GO-create”, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and co-creation.
UTM’s delegation was led by Prof. Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah Mat Darus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Director of UTM International, and Su Zalpha Mohamed, Manager, UTM International Kuala Lumpur.
Over the course of three dynamic days, UTM spearheaded more than 40 high-impact meetings with 36 universities from 12 countries, reinforcing its strategy of advancing scholarly excellence and international recognition through meaningful global partnerships. Key discussions explored collaborative research, Erasmus+ opportunities, and expanded student and staff mobility.
A landmark achievement was UTM’s strategic engagement with the Turkiye Pavilion, where the Head of Delegation pledged to bring over 30 Turkish institutions to Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, a transformative commitment for Malaysia’s role as host of this major Asia-Pacific higher education conference.
As part of its strong commitment to elevating Malaysia’s visibility, UTM proudly served as the national coordinator of the “Study in Malaysia” booth, which featured four other distinguished public universities: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).
Together, the Malaysian delegation projected a unified front, promoting the country’s higher education excellence and positioning Malaysia as a serious global contender in the international education arena. The booth attracted considerable attention, particularly during its cultural showcase where delegates and guests enjoyed Malaysian cuisine and traditional attire, bringing a vibrant touch of Malaysia to the heart of Gothenburg.
Beyond academic networking, the UTM delegation also engaged with industry leaders in Gothenburg. A significant highlight was a visit to Volvo Headquarters, where discussions centred on potential research and innovation collaborations. The delegation also met with distinguished UTM alumnus Dr. Ali Ghanaati, now a key contributor to Volvo’s cutting-edge automotive research. This visit opened pathways for a potential tripartite collaboration between UTM, Volvo, and Chalmers University of Technology.
In addition, UTM explored internship opportunities for its students with Aurobay, another leading Swedish automotive player, supported by the presence of UTM alumni, Dr. Izzuan Arishad who continue to make impactful contributions in Europe.
UTM’s participation in EAIE 2025 follows its consistent presence at previous EAIE editions in Barcelona (2022), Rotterdam (2023), and Toulouse (2024). The 2025 edition once again reaffirmed UTM’s role as a global player in higher education, strengthening academic diplomacy while championing Malaysia’s aspirations to become a premier regional education hub.
About EAIE: The European Association for International Education (EAIE) is Europe’s largest international higher education conference, bringing together more than 6,000 participants from over 90 countries each year. It serves as a dynamic platform for university leaders, academics, policymakers, and international officers to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and shape the future of global higher education. EAIE 2025 in Gothenburg continued its tradition of inspiring collaboration, innovation, and internationalisation on a global scale.
Prepared by Su Zalpha Mohamed & Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan