TOKYO, June 28 — Five students from the Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence with Honours program at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) had the prestigious opportunity to participate in a fully sponsored campus tour at the University of Tokyo. This event was hosted by the renowned Matsuo Laboratory. This international academic engagement was made possible through a collaborative initiative between Matsuo Lab and the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) at UTM.
The visit marked the conclusion of the Global Consumer Intelligence Course (GCIC), which was organized in two phases. The first phase took place at FAI UTM in December 2024, while the second phase was co-hosted by Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in Indonesia in March 2025. This program attracted more than 200 students from both institutions, focusing on industry-relevant learning, research exposure, and cross-cultural collaboration.
As part of the GCIC, a competitive selection was held to identify the most promising talents. The top ten students, recognized for their exceptional performance, were invited to participate in an immersive campus tour in Japan. Among these ten students, five were from UTM, representing Malaysia on an international stage.
During the five-day program, the students had a unique opportunity to experience the academic culture and daily life at one of Asia’s top universities. They attended lectures, participated in academic discussions, and explored the Tokyo metropolitan area using public transportation. This provided them with a comprehensive view of student life in Japan.
A key highlight of the tour was the students’ involvement in research activities with the Matsuo Lab research team. They engaged in intensive research reading sessions, received updates on ongoing projects, and had the opportunity to exchange insights with experienced researchers. This involvement deepened their understanding of cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, particularly within the context of Japanese innovation ecosystems.
The tour included visits to the University’s AI Laboratory as well as two prominent AI start-up companies, Wanderlust and Bakutan. At Wanderlust, students collaborated with developers on real-world problem analysis tasks. This experience allowed them to apply their knowledge to practical scenarios and gain hands-on experience in technology development.
Another significant component of the visit was a session on Japanese language and cultural immersion, during which students learned basic communication skills and gained an appreciation for Japanese customs and traditions. This component fostered intercultural awareness and strengthened the spirit of collaboration between the two nations.
The program concluded with a final presentation session, during which participants proposed innovative ideas for future collaboration between Malaysia and Japan, especially in AI and digital technology. The quality of the presentations was outstanding, with UTM first-year Bachelor’s in AI students earning 2nd and 3rd place in the Best Presentation Awards, a proud achievement for both the students and the university.
To celebrate the successful conclusion of the program, Professor Yutaka Matsuo, a prominent figure in the field of AI and head of Matsuo Lab, hosted a luxurious traditional Japanese dinner for the students. The dinner offered an informal setting for reflection, appreciation, and discussions about future collaborations.
This campus tour showcases UTM’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates, fostering robust international networks, and advancing academic and research excellence in Artificial Intelligence. It also highlights the university’s strategic focus on cultivating industry-relevant skills and fostering partnerships that transcend borders and disciplines.
Prepared by:
Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)