KOLHAPUR, Jan 28 — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) and the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM), undertook a strategic ASEAN–India academic and research mission spanning Belagavi in Karnataka,  Kolhapur in Maharashtra, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The delegation, led by Prof. Dr Mohd Yazid Yahya and Ts Dr Ahmad Ilyas Rushdan, integrated keynote and plenary dissemination, institutional benchmarking, laboratory engagement, and international policy dialogue under the ASEAN–India Collaborative R&D Scheme.

This mobility was anchored to an active ASEAN–India project titled Development of Self-Assembled Nanohybrids of Nickel-Cobalt-Based Layered Double Hydroxides and Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Supercapacitor and Water Splitting Applications. The sanction order confirms UTM’s role as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partner, led by Ts. Dr Ahmad Ilyas Rushdan, in collaboration with Prof. Sagar Dadu Delekar and Dr Hemraj M. Yadav from Shivaji University, and Prof. Hai Viet Le from Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM). The project’s focus on energy storage, electrolysis, and nanostructured hybrids shaped the scientific discussions during each institutional engagement.

Sustainable Materials Leadership at IAIGC 2.0, Kolhapur, Maharashtra

At the International Academia–Industry–Government Conclave (IAIGC 2.0) at Shivaji University, UTM delivered invited lectures linking advanced composites and nanocellulose to circular economy engineering. Prof. Mohd Yazid discussed reinforced thermoplastic composites as future green materials, highlighting recyclability, lightweight design, and reduced lifecycle emissions. Ts. Dr Ahmad Ilyas presented agro-waste to nanocellulose pathways within a biorefinery concept relevant to Malaysia and India.

The conclave connected academia, industry, and government under India’s Vikasit Bharat 2047 vision. Activities during exhibitions, poster sessions, and innovation forums focused on translating laboratory materials research into scalable industrial solutions. UTM’s participation was recognised during the valedictory session and received local media coverage.

Deep Laboratory Engagement at D Y Patil Deemed University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra

 At the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (CIR), D Y Patil Deemed University, UTM conducted extensive laboratory visits and technical discussions with research leaders. The session focused on joint research proposals, co-supervision of postgraduate students, mobility programmes, and shared use of advanced characterisation facilities.

Direct engagement inside laboratories enabled both institutions to exchange research methodologies, instrumentation practices, and publication strategies, opening pathways for long-term multidisciplinary collaboration in advanced materials research.

High Scientific Visibility at IASC-2026, Belagavi, Karnataka

At the International Analytical Science Congress 2026 (IASC-2026), hosted by Rani Channamma University (RCUB), UTM scholars contributed at both plenary and keynote levels. Prof. Mohd Yazid presented research on the blast response of fibre-reinforced composite laminates for safety-critical engineering structures. Ts. Dr Ahmad Ilyas delivered a keynote on sustainable nanocellulose from biomass waste, explaining processing routes and multifunctional applications in water treatment, packaging, and advanced materials.

Both were invited as panellists at the Workshop on Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions. The session brought together panellists from China, Oman, and India to discuss global research collaboration, mobility frameworks, and cross-border innovation ecosystems. UTM’s experience in sustainable materials research and industry linkage was presented as a practical model for university globalisation.

Benchmarking CACM with ATIRA – India’s Centre of Excellence for Composites

A major outcome of the mission was benchmarking CACM with the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA), recognised by the Government of India as a Centre of Excellence for Composites. UTM delegates toured advanced testing laboratories and observed ATIRA’s strong ecosystem of industry-oriented training, seminars, and professional certification programmes. Discussions focused on upgrading CACM to a national-level composite capability through shared laboratory access, co-supervision, joint research, webinars, and specialised training for industry and universities.

Academic Dialogue on India’s First MTech in Composites at Ahmedabad University, Gujarat

UTM also visited Ahmedabad University to discuss India’s first MTech programme in Composites, developed with ATIRA. The curriculum includes fibre-reinforced composites, nano-composites, bio-composites, finite element analysis/computational fluid dynamics (FEA/CFD) testing, and advanced manufacturing such as resin transfer moulding (RTM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM), and 3D printing, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and recycling. The discussion provided valuable input for potential curriculum benchmarking and academic collaboration in composite materials education at UTM, particularly for future postgraduate programme development.

Mission Outcomes and Impact

This ASEAN-India mission demonstrates how UTM integrates high-level scientific dissemination through plenary sessions, keynotes, and invited lectures, while also engaging in international policy dialogue on university globalisation. The mission also included laboratory-level benchmarking with centres of excellence, evaluation of curricula and training models, and the strengthening of multidisciplinary research networks across institutions.

The engagements strengthened UTM’s position as a regional hub for advanced composites, sustainable materials, and nanocellulose research, while establishing practical pathways for joint research, co-supervision, student mobility, and institutional collaboration with leading Indian universities and research centres.

This article was contributed by Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ilyas Rushdan from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) and Prof. Dr. Mohd Yazid Yahya from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM), UTM. Both authors are also affiliated with the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM).