A student from the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), has successfully completed an international industrial training programme at Azbil Corporation, Japan, reflecting UTM’s continued commitment to producing globally competent graduates through international industry-academia collaboration.

The internship provided valuable exposure to professional engineering practices while allowing the student to experience working in a multicultural environment. Lee Jun Yi, a Year 3 student from the Department of Mechanical Precision Engineering, underwent his internship at the Azbil Fujisawa Technology Center.

The international placement provided Lee with the opportunity to gain practical industry experience while working alongside engineers and technical professionals in one of Japan’s leading companies in automation and control technologies. During the internship, he was involved in various activities related to control valve engineering and digital engineering workflows.

His responsibilities included CAD model preparation, geometry verification, fluid volume extraction, mesh generation, mesh quality improvement, and engineering data visualisation. Through these activities, he gained hands-on experience with industry practices and developed a deeper understanding of engineering processes used in product development.

One of the most memorable aspects of the internship was the opportunity to work with complex valve geometries and learn the importance of preparing high-quality engineering models. Through continuous learning and practical experience, Lee developed a deeper understanding of digital engineering processes and the level of precision required in industrial projects. The experience strengthened his analytical thinking, technical knowledge, and attention to detail.

Beyond the technical aspects, the internship also provided valuable exposure to Japanese workplace culture. By collaborating with engineers and colleagues at the Fujisawa Technology Center, Lee gained insight into professional communication, teamwork, and workplace practices in Japan. The experience allowed him to adapt to a new working environment while improving his confidence and interpersonal skills through daily interactions and reporting activities.

Reflecting on his experience, Lee shared that the internship had a significant impact on both his professional and personal development.

“My internship at Azbil Corporation provided me with valuable opportunities to apply the knowledge I learned at UTM-MJIIT in a real industrial environment. Through hands-on experience and guidance from experienced engineers, I gained practical skills, technical knowledge, and a better understanding of professional engineering practices. The experience also broadened my perspective and inspired me to continue learning and developing as a future engineer.”

Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the members of the engineering team at the Azbil Fujisawa Technology Center, particularly Manager Masatoshi Suetake, Youn Chongho and Kenji Saito, for their guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the internship period. He also conveyed his appreciation to MJIIT, UTM, his MJIIT supervisor Dr. Zalikha Khalil, as well as his parents and all parties involved in facilitating the international industrial training programme.

The internship not only enhanced his technical competencies but also gave him a greater appreciation for the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and international collaboration in the engineering profession. Looking ahead, Lee aims to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the internship to his future studies and professional career while continuing to explore advancements in engineering and technology.

Lee’s experience serves as an inspiration for more UTM students to explore global opportunities, strive for excellence, and pursue continuous growth. Built on international collaboration and academic excellence, MJIIT remains committed to providing students with valuable opportunities to grow. Through strong partnerships with industry leaders such as Azbil Corporation, the institute continues to enable students to gain practical experience, build professional networks, and develop the skills needed to thrive in a global engineering environment.

Beyond the workplace, Lee also had the opportunity to experience various aspects of Japanese culture and local traditions during his stay in Japan. One of the memorable experiences was attending the Itabashi Hanabi Taikai, where he enjoyed the spectacular fireworks display and experienced the lively atmosphere together with the local community. The event gave him an opportunity to appreciate one of Japan’s traditional summer cultural activities while creating meaningful memories outside of his internship.

In addition, Lee experienced Bon Odori in Shibuya, where he joined the festive atmosphere and observed people coming together through traditional Japanese dance and music. Experiencing Bon Odori allowed him to gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese cultural traditions and the way traditional practices continue to be enjoyed in a modern urban environment.

These experiences outside the workplace complemented his professional training by allowing him to better understand Japanese society, customs, and everyday life. Together with his interactions with colleagues at the Fujisawa Technology Center, these cultural experiences made his stay in Japan more meaningful and provided him with a broader perspective of the country and its people.

Overall, Lee’s international industrial training at Azbil Corporation illustrates how exposure to industry, international working environments and cultural experiences can contribute to a student’s personal and professional development. His journey reflects the value of international opportunities in preparing UTM students to navigate a global engineering landscape with greater confidence, practical knowledge and adaptability.