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. 

Global Project-Based Learning, or otherwise referred to as gPBL is one of the many initiatives from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan to facilitate outside-classroom learning via educational collaboration with partner universities.

The SIT delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azham bin Zulkharnain and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yoshihisa Hirota from the Department of Bioscience and Engineering. As the director of the program, I have been in-charged in managing the gPBL together with MJIIT Liaison and Internationalisation Officer, Ts. Dr. Nor Ruwaida binti Jamian.

For a duration of 10 days, 17 students from SIT and 10 students from the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE), Malaysia-Japan International Institute of technology (MJIIT) UTM KL which are referred to in this program as ‘MJIIT Buddy’, have participated in the SIT-MJIIT gPBL programme at MJIIT, UTM KL from 23rd February to 4th March 2023.

During the program’s duration, the participants were divided into groups of 4 or 5 for Project-Based Learning (PBL). They have been guided by the facilitators, Prof. Dr. Masafumi Goto, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aznah binti Nor Anuar, Dr. Mariam Firdhaus binti Mad Nordin and Dr. Liew Wai Loan. For a duration of roughly 4 days, the students worked in their respective groups to complete their assigned experiments in their assigned laboratories, conduct data analysis, and discuss their findings – all via self-directed learning. Each group presented their findings on the fourth day. The PBL segment of gPBL provided students the opportunity to hone their skills in the context of globalization as they navigate through new cultural settings and exchange of ideas through the students’ collaboration with peers. Additionally, the students of SIT were given a tour around the engineering laboratories available in MJIIT.

Cultural exchange is also an objective of gPBL. The students of SIT and UTM-MJIIT got to showcase their unique cultures during the Enculturation Dinner with UTM International on Day 5. The Enculturation Dinner was also attended by the honourable Pro-Vice Chancellor of UTM Kuala Lumpur campus, Prof. Ts. Dr. Abd Latif bin Saleh and MJIIT’s honourable dean, Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali bin Selamat.

The Japanese students of SIT delivered an enchanting performance of Soran Bushi, a famous sea shanty in Japan while the MJIIT buddies sang their hearts out to the classic pop hit ‘Kau Ilhamku’ by Man Bai.

Learning outside traditional settings was also emphasized as SIT students and MJIIT Buddies explored Kuala Lumpur during a social excursion with UTM International Kuala Lumpur where participants got to visit Kuala Lumpur’s hotspots. The students of SIT got to experience very authentic Malaysian experiences, even after the one-day slot ended. Accompanied by the MJIIT buddies, they got to try out local delicacies such as nasi kerabu, dodol, and the infamous durian fruit at local stalls.

Overall, this gPBL programme not only equipped participants with technical and analytical skills learned in traditional classroom settings, but also aided students to build strong interpersonal connections, comprehend a wider range of viewpoints, and acquire transferable skills necessary for engagement in multicultural societies.

On the 21st January 2022, we had a meeting with Ms. Wong Shi Xuan (Senior Manager) from Delightex Singapore. This collaboration is mainly looking at the therapeutic potential of local plants/herbs in treating mental diseases.

This project is being led by Mr. Muhammad Imran Firdaus bin Kamardan, our former research student. We also have Assoc. Prof. Hirofumi Hara (University of Tokyo), Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nor’azizi bin Othman, Dr. Nadia Farhana binti Azman and myself on board.

Delightex (Delight Explorers) is an independent research, venture creation and investment arm of a Japanese fast-moving consumer goods conglomerate that has the mandate to identify and build the next generation business around naturally occurring substances. Armed with an extensive network of collaboration partners and research facilities, Delightex seeks to evaluate novel technologies, build and invest in innovative companies with the capacity to deliver Delightful Moments.

We hope that this partnership will bridge us, the academia with industry and successful commercialisation. InshaAllah ~

This is my December. This is my time of the year ~ (Linkin Park, 2000).

Wishing all the MJIIT December celebrants (including me) a happiest birthday!

May Allah gives us the strength and wisdom to smoothly surmount all the challenges life brings us. Stay blessed and enjoy our day to the fullest!

Salam and hi all!

On the 6th October 2021, we had a viva-voce session for my Master’s student, Muhammad Syafiq bin Razali. The title of his project is Isolation and Characterisation of Copper Leaching Microbes from Sanitary Landfill for Bioleaching. He is also co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Hirofumi Hara.

The internal examiner was Assoc. Prof. Koji Iwamoto (MJIIT) and the external examiner was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fauziah binti Shahul Hamid (UM).

Alhamdulillah, Syafiq has successfully passed his viva with corrections and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours!

Congratulations, Syafiq!

Salam and hi peeps!

Yesterday, 16th November was the day for viva-voce of Ms. Ummu Habibah binti Faisal, one of Master’s student under my supervision. Her main supervisor is Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nor’azizi bin Othman and the co-supervisors are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hirofumi Hara and myself. The title of her project is Identification of Genes Encoding Lignin Depolymerization Enzymes in Agrobacteriam Sp. Strain S2.

The external examiners was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Haziyamin Tengku Abdul Hamid (IIUM) and the internal examiners was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koji Iwamoto (MJIIT). She has also successfully published her work in the Microbiology Resource Announcements Journal.

Faisal, U. H. et al. 2021. “Draft Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degradin g Agrobacterium Sp. Strain S2, Isolated from a Decaying Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch.“ Microbiol Resour Announc 10 (19). doi: 10.1128/mra.00259-21. (Q3, IF: 0.88)

Alhamdulillah, Ummu Habibah passed the viva with corrections and we wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

Congratulations, Bibah!

Hi peeps!

On the 2nd of November, we had a meeting with our industrial partner from Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. headed by Dr. Izumi Dateyama. Our side was led by Prof. Dr. Muhamad Ali Muhammad Yuzir, supported by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nor’azizi Othman.

Several issues were discussed particularly in term of managing the labs from both parties. We hope that this collaborative effort between MJIIT and Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. will be a stepping stone for more collaboration with international industrial partners in the near future.

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success”. – Henry Ford