KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 5—The Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) successfully hosted the UTM-MJIIT GLOCAL EMINENCE COURSE (1/2025): LANGUAGE, ENGINEERING & CULTURE INTEGRATION summer school from February 16 to March 5, 2025. Dr. Noor Ayuma Mat Tahir directed the course, which was organized in collaboration with Toyama Prefectural University (TFU) and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT). The inauguration ceremony took place on February 17, 2025, at the MJIIT Seminar Room and was led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain, the Dean of MJIIT.
Held at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur campus, the summer school welcomed four students from TFU and fifteen from TUAT. This course aligned with UTM Envision 2025, aiming to position UTM as a globally recognized university while promoting MJIIT through English proficiency courses, introductory engineering classes, and cultural integration programs. Cultural activities and excursions further enriched the participants’ learning experiences.
Throughout the course, students participated in academic and cultural activities designed to enhance their education. The English proficiency courses improved communication skills through interactive workshops and discussions, while the introductory engineering courses provided hands-on exposure to engineering concepts, fostering knowledge exchange between Japanese and Malaysian perspectives.
Beyond the classroom, cultural integration activities introduced students to Malaysia’s diverse heritage. Participants explored local traditions through batik painting workshops at the National Craft Complex, visits to the National Art Gallery, and an immersive experience at the Mah Meri Cultural Village. Excursions included trips to historical sites in Melaka and national landmarks such as Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Saloma Bridge, Putra Mosque, Blue Mosque, and Batu Caves.
One of the highlights of the course was the farewell dinner, where students from TFU and TUAT showcased traditional performances, attire, and cuisine from their respective countries. This event fostered cross-cultural friendships and strengthened academic collaboration between Malaysia and Japan. During her farewell speech, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain praised the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between UTM-MJIIT and Japanese institutions in nurturing global talent and fostering innovation.
The UTM-MJIIT GLOCAL EMINENCE COURSE (1/2025) success marks a significant milestone in strengthening academic ties between Malaysia and Japan. With positive feedback from students and faculty, UTM-MJIIT looks forward to hosting similar programs in the future, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence, cross-cultural learning, and international collaboration.
Authored by: Noor Ayuma Mat Tahir, Kamilia Kamardin, Badrul Amin Azahari
