On August 5, 2025, we were pleased to welcome Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yoshiaki Maeda and Ms. Yukiko Maeda from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, to our lab as part of the NEXUS research collaboration. The meeting marked the beginning of an exciting partnership focusing on the potential anticancer activities of medicinal plants.

As part of this collaboration, Ms. Yukiko Maeda will be based at our MEMOBIO Tissue Engineering Lab, where she will conduct experimental work to evaluate the bioactivities of selected plant extracts. She will be closely supported by my research assistant, Ms. Husna Filzah Ismail, who will assist with technical training and research guidance.

We look forward to fruitful outcomes from this joint initiative and are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen international research ties in the field of natural product-based anticancer therapies.

Starting from August 29, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Kursus Future Leaders Mentoring & Coaching — a transformative program designed to enhance mentoring and coaching skills among future academic leaders.

A key highlight of the course was the coaching sessions conducted by YBhg. Profesor Emeritus Datuk Ir. Dr. Mohd Azraai bin Kassim, whose vast leadership experience and thoughtful guidance made a lasting impression. His practical insights on academic leadership, strategic direction, and nurturing future talents provided a solid foundation for applying coaching principles in real-world settings.

These sessions were not only informative but also deeply reflective, offering participants the opportunity to explore their leadership potential in a supportive environment.

Thank you to the organisers, trainers, and fellow participants for making this an engaging and meaningful experience. I look forward to integrating these learnings into my own mentoring and leadership journey.

On September 6, 2023, our department, the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE), MJIIT-UTM, successfully organized a Team Building Day in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, bringing together faculty members, staff, and administrators for a day of connection, collaboration, and core value alignment.

Held against a vibrant city backdrop, the event was more than just a break from the office. It was a meaningful initiative aimed at strengthening interpersonal relationships, enhancing leadership qualities, and promoting a collaborative culture within the department.

The day concluded with a reflection session, where participants shared their experiences, insights, and key takeaways. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect on a personal level and to recharge with a shared sense of purpose and unity.

This team building event marks a step forward in fostering a more connected, innovative, and value-driven department culture, and sets the tone for more collaborative achievements in the future.

On March 7, 2024, the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, had the pleasure of hosting a distinguished delegation from Delightex Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based venture building and R&D firm with a strong focus on medical science, wellness, and digital health innovation.

Founded in January 2019, Delightex has grown rapidly into a global player in biomedical innovation, backed by SGD 13 million in paid-up capital. The company boasts an impressive library of over 5,000 natural substances, alongside a growing portfolio of patents, scientific publications, and active collaborations with more than 33 research institutions worldwide.

The purpose of the visit was to explore potential collaborations between MJIIT and Delightex in the areas of:

• Biomedical research
• Natural product discovery
• Academic-venture partnerships

One of the focal points of the discussion was the potential for joint exploration of traditional and underutilized bioresources—particularly for their role in mental wellness, mood regulation, and novel therapeutic discovery. This aligns well with ongoing research efforts at MJIIT that aim to merge traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches.

Throughout the visit, both sides expressed enthusiasm for creating a bridge between academia and industry, especially in areas where natural products and technology intersect to solve real-world health challenges. The discussions also touched on venture creation, student research involvement, and knowledge transfer.

This meaningful exchange reflects MJIIT’s mission to not only advance scientific discovery but to also foster strategic partnerships that translate research into real-world impact. We sincerely thank the Delightex team for their visit and look forward to cultivating this exciting collaboration further in the months ahead.

On February 21, 2024, the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) successfully hosted the University of Tsukuba–MJIIT Joint Seminar 2024 at its Kuala Lumpur campus. The two-day seminar was held as part of the Master of Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (MMJJ) Joint Degree Program (JDP), a collaborative academic program between MJIIT and the University of Tsukuba, Japan.

The MMJJ program is designed to nurture professionals equipped to tackle complex global challenges—particularly in tropical Asia—through the lens of sustainability and environmental science. The program adopts a joint supervision model, leveraging the academic strengths and expertise of both institutions.

As a core component of the MMJJ curriculum, the annual joint seminar provides a valuable platform for students to present their ongoing research to academic supervisors from both universities. This year, 14 postgraduate students from Malaysia, Japan, and China, comprising both first- and second-year cohorts, presented their Master Projects 1 and 2. Their research focused on critical areas such as Environmental Sustainability, Energy Optimization, Pollution and Climate Challenges and Life Sciences and Emerging Innovations.

The event was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Dayang Norulfairuz Abang Zaidel, Head of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, who welcomed the delegation from the University of Tsukuba’s Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences. These esteemed faculty members served as co-supervisors and reviewers for the participating students.

The seminar was coordinated by Ts. Dr. Fazrena Nadia Md Akhir, Program Coordinator for the MMJJ Joint Degree Program, who played a key role in organizing and facilitating the academic exchange.

In addition to the seminar, several key academic and cultural activities were held, including the JDP Steering Committee Meeting, Campus Asia 6 discussions, and a cultural excursion to Kuala Lumpur city, aimed at enriching the cross-cultural and academic collaboration between both institutions.

The seminar concluded with a closing ceremony, where certificates of participation were awarded to all student presenters and the dedicated student organizing committee.

This successful event reaffirmed the shared commitment of MJIIT and the University of Tsukuba to producing globally competent graduates and strengthening academic partnerships in the field of sustainability science.

I am thrilled to announce a significant achievement by our research team who brought home two Gold Awards at the Semarak International Research Article Competition 2024 II (SIRAC 2024 II).

Best Research Article Winner – Science Category
Gold Award – SIRAC 2024 II: 052-028
Title: “Bioresources of Anticancer and Potential Medicinal Compound from Coconut Waste”
This award-winning study explored the biomedical potential of coconut waste, uncovering bioactive compounds with strong anticancer properties. The research offers a sustainable approach to natural drug discovery while adding value to agricultural by-products.

Gold Award – SIRAC 2024 II: 061-041
Title: “Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Locally Isolated Microalgae”
This paper highlights the potent antioxidant and anticancer activity of bioactive compounds derived from local microalgae species—an exciting development in the search for eco-friendly therapeutic resources.

These projects were led in collaboration with my two outstanding postgraduate students, Husna Filzah Ismail and Ain Nafiza Basha, whose dedication and hard work were instrumental to the success of these research endeavors.

In recognition of the Best Research Article (Science Category), a cash prize of RM1000 was awarded by the competition organizers.

This achievement reflects MJIIT’s continued commitment to high-impact, sustainable research, and nurturing future-ready scientists through real-world, innovation-driven projects.

Congratulations once again to Husna and Ain on this incredible accomplishment!

On October 3, 2024, the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) participated in the Forum Iklim Kebangsaan (FIK) 2024, a national-level event that brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to address pressing climate issues and sustainable development challenges in Malaysia, located at Dewan Damar Sari, Blok F8, Parcel F, Putrajaya.

As part of MJIIT’s outreach and academic engagement efforts, our team took the opportunity to promote MJIIT’s postgraduate programs, particularly those aligned with sustainability, environmental engineering, disaster management, and green technology. These programs are designed to equip graduates with the interdisciplinary skills needed to contribute effectively to climate resilience and sustainable innovation—core themes of the forum.

The event provided a valuable platform to network with like-minded professionals and introduce MJIIT’s Japan-oriented academic approach, research strengths, and international collaboration opportunities to prospective students and institutional partners.

We extend our thanks to the event organizers for hosting a well-curated forum and look forward to continued participation in national efforts to address climate change through education, research, and capacity building.

For more information about our postgraduate programs, visit https://mjiit.utm.my/postgraduate/.

On 24th July 2025, our team from the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) attended an important meeting at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to present the draft final report of the project entitled “Kajian Feasibility Rasionalisasi Program TVET” (Feasibility Study on the Rationalisation of TVET Programmes).

The session marked a significant milestone in the project, which aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance the structure, delivery, and alignment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in Malaysia.

During the meeting, the MJIIT team shared key findings, analytical insights, and proposed strategic directions to support MOHE’s efforts in streamlining and strengthening the national TVET ecosystem. The feedback from ministry officials was constructive and valuable in refining the final report for submission.

The collaborative engagement reflects MJIIT’s continued commitment to supporting national education transformation through data-driven research and policy-relevant studies.

We thank MOHE for the opportunity to contribute to this impactful initiative and look forward to the successful completion and implementation of the study’s recommendations.

On Wednesday, 16 July 2025, the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) was honoured to host Professor Kazuhito Fujiyama from The University of Osaka, Japan for a focused academic discussion aimed at exploring future research collaboration between our institutions.

The meeting was attended by the Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurulakmar binti Abu Husain, the Head of Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dayang Norulfairuz binti Abang Zaidel and myself, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange with one of Japan’s leading researchers.

During the session, I had the opportunity to present an overview of our iKohza’s (MEMOBIO) work, highlighting current projects, key achievements, and areas of potential synergy with The University of Osaka. Our discussion emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and the value of international perspectives in advancing impactful scientific outcomes.

Following the meeting, Prof. Fujiyama visited the MEMOBIO Tissue Engineering Laboratory, where he was introduced to our facilities and ongoing research activities. The visit showcased MJIIT’s research capabilities and our commitment to innovation and scientific excellence.

The session concluded with positive reflections from all parties, with strong interest in continuing the conversation toward a formal collaboration.

We are optimistic that this engagement will serve as a foundation for deeper academic and research cooperation between MJIIT and The University of Osaka, aligned with our shared goals of advancing science and technology through global partnerships.

On the 9th of March 2023, Tsukuba-MJIIT Joint Seminar was held in Ibis Hotel, Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with 1st International Conference on Sustainable Chemical, Energy and Environmental Engineering (SCE3) 2023. This annual event was hosted by Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM Kuala Lumpur campus in collaboration with our partner university, University of Tsukuba (UT), Japan. 

This Joint Seminar (1 credit) is a part of the curriculum of our unique Joint Master’s Degree Program Master of Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (MMJJ) with UT in which students are required to present their research project and will be evaluated by panels from both institutions.

The delegation from UT consists of Prof. Dr. Iwane Suzuki, Prof. Dr. Maki Tsujimura, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yoshiaki Maeda, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yuko Omori and Ms. Tomomi Watanabe.