📝 Summary
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Hainan Normal University (HNNU) have strengthened their collaboration in functional materials and nanoscience through a reciprocal academic and research visit. The visit included a research collaboration meeting, lab visits, and a colloquium on functional materials and nanotechnology, which aimed to exchange knowledge and identify complementary research strengths. The institutions expressed their intention to further strengthen cooperation through structured academic and research initiatives.
JOHOR BAHRU, Jul 24 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials (CSNano), Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISI-SIR), welcomed a delegation from Hainan Normal University (HNNU), China, for an academic and research visit from 20 to 24 July 2026.
The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Wei Sun, Director of the Key Laboratory of Laser Technology and Optoelectronic Functional Materials of Hainan Province and Director of the Hainan International Joint Research Center of Marine Advanced Photoelectric Functional Materials. He was accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hongji Li, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiaoping Zhang and Dr. Dan Zhang.
The visit followed an official visit by CSNano Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lee Siew Ling, to HNNU from 5 to 10 May 2026. The reciprocal programme reflected the commitment of both institutions to strengthen academic and research cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
During the visit to UTM, the HNNU delegation participated in a research collaboration meeting with ISI-SIR Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Safwan Abd Aziz; CSNano Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lee Siew Ling; and Laser Centre Director Dr. Ganesan Krishnan.
Prof. Dr. Wei Sun provided an overview of HNNU’s research centres, teams, facilities, and main research areas. The discussion emphasised possible collaborations in functional materials, nanoscience, optoelectronic materials, and laser technology.
The delegation subsequently visited the UTM Laser Centre, where they were introduced to its research facilities and ongoing activities. They also met the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir, to discuss potential academic and research partnerships. The programme continued with visits to the Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry laboratories at the Faculty of Science, as well as the UTM Central Laboratory.
A major highlight was the Colloquium on Functional Materials and Nanotechnology, jointly organised by CSNano and HNNU on 23 July at the Theatre Hall of ISI-SIR.
The programme was chaired by ChM Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat Mohd Abdah and featured oral presentations by HNNU delegates and UTM researchers from CSNano, the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science.
The colloquium served as a valuable platform for researchers to exchange knowledge, present current findings and identify complementary research strengths. It also encouraged scholarly discussion and opened opportunities for future joint publications, research projects, staff and student exchanges, and collaborative grant applications.
The visit concluded on 24 July with a meeting involving UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Ali Selamat, together with the Directors of ISI-SIR and CSNano. Both institutions expressed their intention to further strengthen cooperation through structured academic and research initiatives.
The programme marked an important step in expanding UTM’s international research network and reinforcing its partnership with Hainan Normal University in high-impact scientific fields.
Prepared by: Bon Shin Er, Nurul Adhah Saini, Nur Isarah Che Raimi
