GUIYANG, Jul 30 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) strengthened its regional engagement in postgraduate education through its participation in the inaugural China–ASEAN Graduate Education Development Forum, held from 28 to 30 July 2026 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China. Organized as part of the 2026 China–ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, the forum brought together university leaders, graduate school representatives, academics and education administrators from China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to explore new approaches to regional cooperation in graduate education.

The forum was held under the theme “Exploring New Paths for the Synergistic Development of Graduate Education in China and ASEAN.” It provided a platform for participating institutions to exchange experiences and discuss opportunities in postgraduate education, research training, academic mobility and institutional collaboration. UTM was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazrena Abu Samah, Deputy Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, UTM Johor Bahru, and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohamed Sukri Mat Ali, Head of Department at the School of Graduate Studies, UTM Kuala Lumpur.

During the roundtable presentation session at Guizhou University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazrena presented an overview of UTM’s institutional strengths, postgraduate education ecosystem, international community, research capabilities and flexible programme delivery models. Her presentation highlighted UTM’s position as a leading Malaysian research university with established strengths in engineering, science, technology and multidisciplinary research. The presentation also introduced UTM’s flexible postgraduate education models, including offshore programmes, special programmes developed in response to the needs of partner organisations, and programmes delivered through Open and Distance Learning.

Through these models, UTM can widen access to quality postgraduate education while supporting international institutions, working professionals and learners who may not be able to pursue conventional campus-based study. UTM’s Open and Distance Learning students currently come from 24 countries, including China and several ASEAN nations, demonstrating the university’s capacity to deliver postgraduate education across geographical boundaries. Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohamed Sukri also contributed to the roundtable discussion, which enabled representatives from participating institutions to share perspectives on the future development of graduate education in China and ASEAN. The discussion highlighted the importance of moving beyond initial institutional networking towards structured initiatives that provide tangible benefits to postgraduate students, supervisors, researchers and partner universities.

In addition to the forum sessions, the UTM delegation participated in academic field visits to the State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides and the School of Mechanical Engineering at Guizhou University. The visits provided insights into Guizhou University’s research facilities, postgraduate research environment and approaches to integrating advanced research, talent development and industry needs.

At the State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticides, the UTM delegation engaged with Li Xiangyang, Deputy Director of the laboratory. The visit created an opportunity to exchange institutional perspectives on postgraduate research training, research infrastructure and potential areas of academic cooperation.

The delegation also visited the School of Mechanical Engineering and met Tang Zhengqiang, Vice Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Guizhou University.

The engagement enabled both institutions to exchange views on postgraduate engineering education, research development and opportunities for future academic and research collaboration.

A key outcome of the forum was the adoption of the Guiyang Declaration of the China–ASEAN Graduate Education Development Forum. The declaration expressed a shared commitment to strengthening graduate education quality and governance, promoting high-level talent development, supporting academic innovation and expanding exchanges between universities in China and ASEAN. It also encouraged practical forms of cooperation, including short-term student visits, summer schools, academic forums, joint courses, joint supervision and collaborative research training.

UTM’s participation in the inaugural forum enhanced the university’s visibility within the China–ASEAN graduate education landscape and created new opportunities to engage with prospective academic and research partners. Moving forward, UTM will continue to explore opportunities arising from the forum and translate regional dialogue into structured, sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships in postgraduate education and research.

Prepared by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazrena Abu Samah and Prof. Madya Ir. Dr. Mohamed Sukri Mat Ali, School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Photos by: China–ASEAN Graduate Education Development Forum Organising Committee