KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 24 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently paid a courtesy visit to the European Union (EU) Delegation to Malaysia as part of its continuous efforts to strengthen international collaboration in higher education, academic mobility, and regional engagement. The visit brought together representatives from UTM International and the EU Delegation to discuss several upcoming regional initiatives involving Malaysia and the European Union, particularly through Erasmus+ initiatives and regional higher education engagement.

Representing UTM were Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim; Director of UTM International and Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) Malaysia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, Associate Director of Global Strategy & Engagement, UTM International, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Sr. Dr. Nurul Hazrina Idris, Senior Assistant Registrar, UTM International Kuala Lumpur, Su Zalpha Mohamed, and Auxiliary ENFP, Nur Masitoh Islamiah Mustaffa Kamal.

The delegation was received by Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Malaysia, His Excellency Rafael Daerr, together with Deputy Head of Mission, Dr. Insa Ewert, and Political Officer, Samuel Wejchert.

Among the key matters discussed were preparations for the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2027, expected to take place in March 2027; the Ambassadors’ Roundtable with the European Union 2026 (ART @ EU’26) in October 2026; and the Regional Erasmus+ Week 2026 scheduled from 24 to 26 November 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.

Also joining the meeting was Patrick Lefebvre, Director of Events & Conference at PRACSIS, who is currently in Malaysia for a coordination visit in preparation for the Regional Erasmus+ Week 2026.

During the discussion, H.E Rafael Daerr expressed the EU Delegation’s support for the planned initiatives, including the proposal to establish an EU Pavilion during APAIE 2027. The proposal is expected to strengthen engagement and cooperation between higher education institutions from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, while further expanding opportunities for academic networking and collaboration.

The meeting also touched on the impact of the Erasmus+ Programme in expanding academic mobility and institutional collaboration between Malaysia and Europe. Over the years, the programme has created valuable opportunities for Malaysian students, researchers, and academic staff to gain international exposure, participate in academic exchange activities and strengthen global academic networks.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan emphasised the importance of sustaining international partnerships and collaborative platforms that contribute towards knowledge exchange and regional higher education development. The growing participation of Malaysian institutions in Erasmus+ programmes also reflects the strong and longstanding academic ties between Malaysia and the European Union.

The visit concluded with a coordination session focusing on preparations for the Regional Erasmus+ Week 2026 programme, which Malaysia will host later this year.