JOHOR BAHRU, Sep 22 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) welcomed a seven-member delegation from the Guangxi Academy of Sciences (GXAS), China, for an official visit to the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), UTM, aimed at strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between the two institutions.

The visit primarily focused on expanding opportunities for closer cooperation in research, technology development and knowledge exchange. It followed the official visit by Prof. Dr. Lee Chew Tin and Senior Lecturer Dr. Ong Pei Ying to GXAS earlier in May this year. During the GXAS-funded visit, they introduced UTM and FKT to GXAS members and delivered academic sharing sessions.

The GXAS delegation was led by Deputy Director of the Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Dr. Lai Junxing, and included representatives from GXAS’s Organisation and Human Resources Department, Department of Regional and International Cooperation, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, and Institute of Biological Science and Technology. FKT was represented by the Dean of FKT, Prof. Dr. Mat Uzir Wahit; Professor, Prof. Dr. Lee Chew Tin; Director of IBD, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosnani Hasham; Manager of External and Global Engagements, Prof. Dr. Zainul Akmar Zakaria; Senior Lecturer, Dr. Ong Pei Ying; and External and Global Engagement (EGE) Unit representative, Mrs. Norhafizah Hamdan. Also present was Dr. Aidee Kamal Khamis from the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA).

The programme included a brief presentation on UTM and GXAS, as well as a Letter of Cooperation (LoC) signing ceremony between FKT and GXAS, represented by Prof. Dr. Mat Uzir Wahit and Dr. Lai Junxing, respectively.

Following the institutional engagement, the delegation visited the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), where they were welcomed by Dr. Rosnani and her team of researchers. The visit provided an opportunity for GXAS to gain insights into UTM’s research capabilities and facilities, particularly in bioproduct development and biotechnology.

The delegation then proceeded to Agricode Green Sdn. Bhd. in Senai for an industrial visit, as Agricode is one of FKT’s current active industrial collaborators. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed this year between Agricode and FKT, represented by Ir. Dr. Mohd. Nazrul Hisham Zainal Alam, as the Resource Person for the collaboration.

The visit reflects continuing efforts by UTM and FKT to expand international partnerships and create platforms for joint research, academic exchange, technology development and industry collaboration. The engagement with GXAS is expected to provide further opportunities for researchers from both institutions to identify areas of mutual interest and develop collaborative initiatives in the future.