Kuala Lumpur, 11th Mac 2024 – In a groundbreaking development aimed at enriching academic opportunities and fostering cross-cultural exchange, the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) has embarked on a collaborative venture with the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) through a program named the UTM MJIIT Glocal Eminence Course (2/2024): Language, Engineering and Culture Integration.
Commencing from the 25th of February until the 9th Mac 2024, this program seeks to empower English proficiency through experts from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), enhancing engineering education, and promoting culture integration between Malaysia and Japan. The program represents a significant milestone in international academic cooperation, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources across borders with a total of 18 students from both universities.
Recognizing the importance of English as a universal medium of communication, this program was designed to equip participants with the linguistic skills necessary to excel in today’s interconnected world. Moreover, the program extends to the realm of engineering, where students were introduced to diverse engineering courses including food security, and waste and wastewater management, in addition to basic chemical engineering to cultivate multidisciplinary concepts and knowledge. Also, participants visited the MJIIT iKohza, including the Algae Laboratory, Advance Precision Laboratory, Microscopy Laboratory, and Cybersecurity Laboratory.
In addition to academic pursuits, the program emphasizes culture integration and mutual understanding between the two countries. Through visits to various culturally rich destinations in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, exposures to traditional games and foods, students experienced the chance to immerse themselves in each other’s traditions, customs, and societal norms, fostering a spirit of friendship and cooperation.
Towards the end of the program, a farewell lunch was organized with traditional Malaysian costume as the dress code, and a certificate giving-ceremony attended by Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali bin Selamat, Dean of MJIIT to the students hoping that the collaboration would continue to unfold and remain the best memories for the participants and both universities.
As the UTM MJIIT Glocal Eminence Course (2/2024) concludes, it champions collaboration and cultural exchange, embodying the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through language mastery, engineering exploration, and cultural sharing, students advance SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These experiences, driving towards a more connected future in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Farewell, but this marks the beginning of MJIIT-TUAT collective journey towards a sustainable and inclusive world!
Prepared by: Shahirah binti Shamsulbahrin, Mohamad Aizad bin Mohd Mokhtar & Liew Wai Loan