MJIIX 2026 connects 1,000 visitors from 11 countries

Assoc. Prof. Eur. Ing. Ir. Ts. Dr. Syuhaida Ismail

📝 Summary

The Malaysia-Japan Industrial & Innovation Expo (MJIIX) 2026 brought together over 1,000 visitors from 11 countries, marking its most international edition yet. The event connected knowledge creation with industry needs, professional practice, and real-world application, and featured two international research and innovation competitions. MJIIX 2026 also witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Exchange between UTM and NOK Corporation, building on an engagement that originated through MJIIT’s Industrial Training in Japan Programme.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 28 – The Malaysia–Japan Industrial & Innovation Expo (MJIIX) 2026 marked its most international edition yet, bringing together more than 1,000 visitors from 11 countries, representatives from nine foreign embassies and 41 industry, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and professional entities at the Grand Banquet Hall, UTM Hotel & Residence, Kuala Lumpur.

Organised by the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the third edition of MJIIX demonstrated how a platform built on a strong Malaysia–Japan foundation is developing into a wider international innovation ecosystem. Held under the theme “Academia–Industry–Government Convergence: Bridging Learning, Research and Industrial Deployment”, MJIIX 2026 connected knowledge creation with industry needs, professional practice and real-world application.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat, representing the Vice-Chancellor, and graced by the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki.

His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki — H.E. Shikata Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, delivering his address during the Opening Ceremony of the Malaysia–Japan Industrial & Innovation Expo 2026 (MJIIX 2026) at UTM Kuala Lumpur

The participation of 11 countries and nine embassies illustrated MJIIX’s growing reach beyond a bilateral relationship, positioning MJIIT as a connector between Malaysia, Japan, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the wider international community. The Expo also brought together established corporations, MSMEs, professional bodies, researchers, students and emerging innovators, involving 41 entities across its wider ecosystem.

Representatives from foreign embassies and diplomatic missions among the distinguished guests at MJIIX 2026, illustrating the MJIIX’s growing international reach beyond its Malaysia–Japan foundation

A major milestone for the 2026 edition was the organisation of two international research and innovation competitions. The Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia (JACTIM) International Research and Innovation Challenge 2026 and the MJIIX International Research and Innovation Competition 2026 generated 122 research and innovation entries addressing industrial and societal challenges.

H.E. Shikata Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, visiting the vibrant exhibition floor at MJIIX 2026, where 41 industry, MSME and professional entities showcased their capabilities alongside two international research and innovation competitions that attracted 122 entries, demonstrating the Expo’s growing scale, diversity and participation

The Kohinication Dialogue, themed “Academia–Industry–Government Convergence: Bridging Learning, Research and Industrial Deployment”, created space for conversations on translating research into industrial application. The Professional Leadership Forum also brought together perspectives from professional bodies, industry and academia, featuring panellists from the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM), the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and the Project Management Institute (PMI).

MJIIX 2026 also witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Exchange between UTM and NOK Corporation, building on an engagement that originated through MJIIT’s Industrial Training in Japan Programme and later developed into wider research and university–industry collaboration.

NOK MOU — The Dean of MJIIT, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain (2nd from left), and a NOK Corporation representative during the MoU Exchange Ceremony at MJIIX 2026, celebrating a new milestone in Malaysia–Japan collaboration in research, education, industry engagement and talent development

Beyond research and industry, visitors experienced interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities, Japanese cultural experiences, handicraft activities, the ANA Interactive Booth, networking spaces and exhibition showcases.

MJIIX 2026 participants embracing the Japanese cultural experience in yukata, reflecting the Expo’s unique blend of innovation, industry engagement and cultural exchange

The event also reconnected UTM with 69 universities and research institutes around the world. Post-event feedback recorded a mean experience rating of 4.50 out of 5, with 88.7% rating the event Very Good or Excellent and 91.1% indicating that they would definitely or probably attend or recommend MJIIX again.

The evolution of MJIIX can therefore be summarised simply as “MJIIX 2024 established the platform, MJIIX 2025 expanded the reach, and MJIIX 2026 connected the ecosystem”. For UTM and MJIIT, MJIIX 2026 represented more than an Expo, demonstrating how a Malaysia–Japan platform can grow into an international meeting point for talent, technology, industry and ideas.