UTM strengthens academic ties at 15th CAMPUS Asia Plus

Dr. Muhammad Faiz Hilmi Rani

📝 Summary

UTM strengthened its academic and research ties with East Asian universities through the 15th CAMPUS Asia Plus Energy, Environment, Science and Technology Summer School in South Korea. The program brought together 128 participants from four universities, including 24 UTM delegates, for a month-long program of laboratory activities, research presentations, and interdisciplinary discussions. The event marked the final Summer School under the CAMPUS Asia Plus Mode-3 framework and laid the foundation for future cooperation between UTM and its partner universities.

BUSAN, Sep 1 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) strengthened its academic and research ties with East Asian universities through participation in the 15th CAMPUS Asia Plus Energy, Environment, Science and Technology (EEST) Summer School, hosted by Pusan National University (PNU), Republic of Korea, from 17 to 31 August 2026. The programme brought together 128 participants, comprising 71 students, 40 faculty members, and 17 staff members from PNU, Kyushu University (KU), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), and UTM. This edition marked the final Summer School under the CAMPUS Asia Plus Mode-3 framework.

UTM was represented by a 24-member delegation comprising 15 postgraduate students and nine academics. The five M1 students – Afiqa Nabihah Ahmad Zaini, Ghani Jaili, Wong Chen Yao, Taufiq Syahid Ibrahim and Robieatul Adawiyyah Shaifuddin – participated in multinational laboratory groups alongside students from PNU, KU and SJTU. The ten M2 students – Hii Sieng Hong, Nur Azzyyati Azman, Poy Jiahe, Nurul Shahadah Roslan, Chua Kai Feng, Yosua Setiawan, Hanani Naqibah Mohd Azman, Nurshahira Sobri, Chong Wei Quan and Narendran Divakarand – presented their thesis-related research during dedicated seminar sessions and exchanged perspectives with international peers.

The UTM academic delegation comprised Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aminuddin Saat, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuty Asma Abu Bakar, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Hayati Abdullah, Dr. Ummikalsom Abidin, Dr. Natrah Kamaruzaman, Dr. Maziah Mohamad, Dr. Muhammad Faiz Hilmi Rani, Ts. Dr. Desmond Daniel Chin Vui Sheng and Dr. Chiong Meng Soon. Dr. Ummikalsom Abidin represented UTM at the opening ceremony, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuty Asma Abu Bakar delivered the keynote address, “Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) for Next Generation Aerospace Gas Turbine”.

Dr. Chiong Meng Soon (left) and Dr. Maziah Mohamad (right) delivering lectures and engaging students in interactive discussions

UTM academics also delivered lectures to the M1 and M2 cohorts covering topics in energy, environment, science and engineering. Students participated in laboratory activities, research presentations and interdisciplinary discussions, developing research communication skills, teamwork and international academic networks. The programme culminated in the presentation and evaluation of laboratory study results, followed by a joint discussion and feedback session.

Hands-on learning and cross-university collaboration among students during laboratory sessions

The programme was complemented by a technical visit to the Hyundai Motor Ulsan Plant, where participants gained first-hand exposure to large-scale automotive manufacturing, automation and sustainable mobility. The visit connected classroom and research knowledge with real-world engineering applications. The programme continued the momentum of the 14th CAMPUS Asia Plus EEST Summer School hosted by UTM in Johor Bahru in August 2025.

Top left: Ghani Jaili sharing innovative ideas for a sustainable future. Right: Taufiq Syahid showcasing research on environmental solutions. (Bottom left) Double-degree student Narendran Divakarand sharing his research findings with an international audience

The Closing Ceremony on 28 August 2026 saw Dr. Muhammad Faiz Hilmi Rani representing UTM and congratulating students on completing the programme. He highlighted that CAMPUS Asia Plus extends beyond academic learning by providing students from Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and China with opportunities to build friendships, professional networks and mutual understanding.

M1 Group Presentation winners, recognised for their outstanding teamwork and ideas (left). M2 Thesis Presentation award recipients, recognised for their excellent research presentations (right)

As the 15th Summer School brought the Mode-3 framework to a close, the Busan programme marked the culmination of an important chapter and a foundation for future cooperation. For UTM, continued participation reflects its commitment to meaningful international experiences while strengthening partnerships with PNU, KU and SJTU in education, research and global engagement.