SEPANG, Apr 13 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has officially formalised a strategic partnership with Xiamen University (XMU) through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange. The ceremony, a significant milestone in China-Malaysia academic relations, took place today during the Symposium on the Development of the China-Malaysia International Institute for Advanced Studies (CMIIAS) held at Xiamen University Malaysia.

The symposium convened approximately 40 distinguished participants, including senior university leaders, prominent scholars, and industry partners from leading Chinese and Malaysian institutions.

UTM was represented by Prof. Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah Mat Darus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), who exchanged the formal MoU with Prof. Zhang Rong, Chairman of the XMU Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The exchange was witnessed by Prof. Dr. Jafri Din, Dean of the UTM Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), and Prof. Zhong Wei, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at XMU.

During the symposium, Prof. Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting UTM’s academic excellence, research capabilities, and international cooperation priorities. Complementing this, Professor Dr. Jafri bin Din shared strategic insights and forward-looking proposals regarding the high-quality development goals of the CMIIAS.

This formal agreement represents the maturation of a long-standing collaboration. Notably, in February 2025, Prof. Zhang Rong visited the UTM campus specifically to preside over a formal software donation ceremony. The event marked the contribution of specialised semiconductor and photonics software from XMU and GMPT Shanghai, equipping UTM researchers with world-class tools for high-tech manufacturing innovation. Today’s MoU builds upon that momentum, transforming technical gains into a permanent, structured framework for future cooperation.

The strategic development and technical alignment of this MoU were spearheaded by key experts from both institutions: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eileen Su Lee Ming led the initiative for UTM, working in close coordination with Prof. Huang Kai, who led the efforts for XMU. Their collaborative work establishes a robust roadmap for joint ventures in education and innovation under the new CMIIAS framework.

By deepening ties in research, talent development, and technological innovation, this alliance reinforces the foundation of the China-Malaysia comprehensive cooperation framework.