UTM International, the international arm of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), hosted an enlightening International Sharing Session on September 20, 2023, at Dewan Senat Ainuddin Wahid in UTM Johor Bahru. The event featured Dr. Guido Schnieders, the Director of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Regional Office Jakarta, responsible for Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Timor Leste.

The session delved into the topic of ‘Exploring the German Research Landscape and Initiating Collaborative Research Ventures with Germany.’ The three-hour session drew an audience comprising UTM researchers, academic staff, and master’s degree students actively engaged at UTM.

Before his informative presentation, Dr. Guido paid a courtesy visit to UTM’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, the Director of UTM International.

During his presentation, Dr. Guido elucidated a multitude of opportunities for research collaboration, offering valuable guidance and tips to UTM researchers interested in collaborating with German universities and research institutions. He emphasized the crucial role that the German Research Foundation (DFG), the country’s main self-governing research funding organization with an annual budget exceeding €2 billion and primarily funded by the German federal government and the German states, plays.

Dr. Guido also introduced GERiT (German Research Institutions), a comprehensive database available to UTM researchers. GERiT offers an extensive overview of approximately 29,000 institutes at German universities and non-university research institutions, classified by subject area, geographical location, and structural criteria. Its finely structured classification system enables users to locate specific institutes in their respective fields.

Furthermore, Dr. Guido highlighted scholarship opportunities for UTM students pursuing their Ph.D. studies in Germany. He also encouraged collaborative student exchange initiatives between UTM and German universities, emphasising the wide array of degree programmes conducted in English in Germany.

It is  worth noting that UTM has already established numerous active collaborations with universities and institutions in Germany. Notable partnerships include those with Ilmenau University of Technology and Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

Dr. Guido’s engaging session has ignited enthusiasm within the UTM community, driving a commitment to further develop academic and research ties with Germany, ultimately enhancing global academic and research connectivity. With a sizable operating budget of 774.8 million euros in 2022 and funding from a number of German and European organizations, the DAAD is eager to assist UTM in creating collaborative initiatives and fostering activities with German institutions, particularly in the area of international student and researcher exchanges.

As the department entrusted with managing and advancing UTM’s internationalisation agenda, UTM International remains steadfast in its dedication to nurturing global partnerships and providing enriching opportunities to our students and staff. This commitment is oriented towards significantly contributing to the university’s academic and research excellence while bolstering our global reputation and visibility.