USM, TAIXING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT EXPLORE NEW AVENUES FOR RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues to strengthen its international engagement through a courtesy visit by the Taixing Municipal Government delegation from Jiangsu Province, China, aimed at exploring strategic areas of cooperation that could benefit both institutions and their respective communities.
The USM delegation was led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab, accompanied by Director of the Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC), Professor Dr. Mohd Hazwan Hussin, together with the Centre's management team and staff.
The Taixing delegation was headed by Member of the Standing Committee of the Taixing Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Organisation Department, Zhao Jun.
The meeting served as an important platform for both parties to exchange perspectives on advancing academic, research, and innovation-driven collaborations, in line with shared aspirations for sustainable development, talent cultivation, and knowledge exchange.
Discussions focused on a range of potential collaborative initiatives, including talent development programmes, joint research projects, industry-linked innovation activities, laboratory and facility sharing, academic exchanges, and institutional partnerships.
Both parties also explored opportunities to foster stronger linkages between universities, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to facilitate the translation of research outcomes into practical solutions that address community and societal needs.
Recognising the growing importance of international cooperation in higher education and research, the engagement highlighted the potential for establishing long-term partnerships that would create greater opportunities for academics, researchers and students from both sides to collaborate on areas of mutual interest.
Such collaborations could include research mobility, expert exchanges, professional training programmes, and participation in international conferences and innovation platforms.
Habibah noted that USM remains committed to expanding its global network of strategic partners to enhance research excellence, knowledge transfer, and capacity building.
She emphasised that productive international collaborations not only strengthen academic and research capabilities but also contribute to the development of innovative solutions that support regional and global progress.
The delegation was also briefed on USM's role as a leading research-intensive university and its longstanding commitment to advancing scientific discovery, technological innovation, and sustainable development through multidisciplinary research and industry engagement.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jun expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended by USM and conveyed optimism about future collaborations between USM and institutions in Taixing.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening international partnerships to promote talent development, technological advancement, and economic growth.
The visit marks another significant milestone in USM's ongoing efforts to strengthen its internationalisation agenda and reinforce its position as a globally connected institution.
It also reflects the university's commitment to building meaningful partnerships that foster academic excellence, research impact, and cross-cultural understanding, while contributing to the development of a more interconnected global knowledge ecosystem.