UTM Pioneers Region’s First ASEAN Quantum Summit

Centre for Corporate Communications | Rohaizan Khairul Anuar

JOHOR BAHRU, 11 Dec – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted the officiation of the ASEAN Quantum Summit 2025 at Dewan Sultan Iskandar, marking a defining step forward for Southeast Asia’s scientific and technological advancement. The ceremony, officiated by the Chief Minister of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, brought together more than 200 delegates from all 10 ASEAN Member States and Japan, alongside leading researchers, policy leaders, industry partners, and 2,632 students.

Also present were the President of ERIA, H.E. Mr. Tetsuya Watanabe; the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital, YBrs. Tuan Shakib Ahmad Shakir Jamaludin; Johor State Executive Councillor and Chairman of the Johor State Committee for Education and Information, YB Tuan Aznan Tamin; and the Head of the Science and Technology Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Zurina Mokhtar.

Organised by UTM and UTMSPACE with the support of Malaysian universities and the Malaysia Quantum Information Initiative (MyQI), the Summit is the first ASEAN-level platform dedicated to preparing the region for the opportunities and challenges of quantum technologies. The event aligns with ASEAN Malaysia 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability and coincides with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025).

In his officiating address, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz highlighted Johor’s commitment to accelerating deep-tech development as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

He emphasised that quantum technology represents a transformative shift in how countries will build industries, secure digital infrastructure, and address complex societal challenges. Dato’ Onn Hafiz described quantum technology as “the beginning of a paradigm shift in how technology works,” noting that it will “redefine high-value industries, transform the digital economy, and shape how humanity approaches its most complex challenges.”

He also added that Johor is ready to lead this transformation through the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is positioned to attract quantum computing investment and foster an innovation corridor where Johor and Singapore are “not only connected, but entangled in shared progress.” He further noted that Malaysia is advancing efforts toward a National Quantum Policy, supported under Budget 2026, to strengthen the nation’s role in the global quantum ecosystem.

UTM Vice-Chancellor, YBrs. Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim welcomed delegates by underscoring the need for ASEAN to build collective strength in scientific capability and research leadership. He reaffirmed UTM’s commitment to technologies that uplift communities, in line with the University’s philosophy of “In the Name of God for Mankind.”

Prof. Shafry also announced that UTM, in collaboration with UniMAP, TM, MIMOS, and IDQuantique, has successfully conducted secure quantum communication from UTM to the JS-SEZ Iskandar Puteri Data Center, with plans to expand connectivity to the financial sector in Forest City and subsequently to Singapore.

The ASEAN Quantum Summit 2025 supports the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035, which identifies quantum science as a strategic emerging frontier for long-term regional development. A technical visit to the Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) in Singapore will follow the Summit to strengthen cross-border collaboration and deepen research partnerships.

Today’s officiation marks ASEAN’s unified step toward building a secure, inclusive, and future-ready quantum ecosystem, supported by government leaders, scientific communities, and industry partners.

The ceremony also featured the exchange of several significant agreements and collaboration documents, witnessed by YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz. The first exchange involved UTM and the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB) at the University of Osaka, represented by UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and QIQB Director Prof. Dr. Masahiro Kitagawa.

This was followed by the exchange between UTM and AQSLOTOL Pte. Ltd., represented by Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry and the company’s Co-Founder, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rainer Dumke. The final exchange saw Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Sufian Jusoh, formalising cooperation with the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QUAT)of Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), represented by Prof. Dr. Masu Kazuya.

UTM’s role as host reflects its dedication to advancing frontier science and innovation for societal benefit, reinforcing its mission of “Innovating Sustainable Solutions” and its commitment to serving humanity through knowledge and discovery.

Chief Minister of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi delivering his officiation speech

UTM Vice-Chancellor, YBrs. Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim welcomed delegates by underscoring the need for ASEAN to build collective strength in scientific capability and research leadership.

From left : Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital, YBrs. Tuan Shakib Ahmad Shakir Jamaludin; Johor State Executive Councillor and Chairman of the Johor State Committee for Education and Information, YB Tuan Aznan Tamin; Chief Minister of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi; UTM Vice-Chancellor, YBrs. Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, and the Head of the Science and Technology Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Zurina Mokhtar.

UTM and the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB) at the University of Osaka, represented by UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and QIQB Director Prof. Dr. Masahiro Kitagawa.

UTM and AQSLOTOL Pte. Ltd., represented by Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry and the company’s Co-Founder, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rainer Dumke.

UKM represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Sufian Jusoh, formalising cooperation with the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QUAT)of Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), represented by Prof. Dr. Masu Kazuya.