USM PENANG, 28 February 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today welcomes a visit by a delegation from Shinshu University, Japan and representatives from Toyohashi University of Technology (TUT) Penang.

In his welcoming speech, USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed greeted the Shinshu University delegates, led by the Executive Director, Professor Dr. Yasuda Hironori and representatives from TUT, Special Appointed Vice-President, Professor Dr. Lim Pang Boey, and Senior Administrative Staff of TUT Penang, Fong Sew Khuan.

Abdul Rahman continued by saying thank you to Lim for his hard work and dedication in making the collaboration between USM and TUT a success for more than a decade, and which now, has expanded USM’s network in Japan with the introduction of Shinshu University.

Abdul Rahman also stated that, USM is a leading institution in Malaysia for community and industrial engagement projects. That factor would surely present a huge potential for both institutions to collaborate.

Yasuda then gave a brief speech thanking USM and TUT on the opportunity to share information as part of the visit.

This was followed by brief video presentations from both USM and Shinshu University.

Shinshu University is a leading national university in Japan, with eight faculties (Arts, Education, Economics and Law, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, and Textile Science and Technology) and five graduate schools. It has more than 10,000 students spread across its five campuses in Nagano, Japan.

Abdul Rahman was also informed that Shinshu University is ranked No.2 in Japan in the "2023 National University Local Contribution Ranking" published by the NIKKEI and the Research Institute for Industrial Regions. The University was rated highly across the board in areas such as number of collaborative projects between industry, academia and government.

Abdul Rahman then thanked the delegates, and said that he would be looking forward to hearing on the progress regarding the potential collaboration between USM and Shinshu University.

Others present include those from USM, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dr. Habibah binti A. Wahab; Director Research, Creativity Management Office (RCMO), Professor Dr. Zainovia binti Lockman; and Director, International Mobility & Collaboration Centre (IMCC), Prof. Dr. Lee Keat Teong.

Delegates from Shinshu University who were present were the Executive Director (In charge of Education & Global), Professor Dr. Yasuda Hironori; Associate Professor Dr. Hamano Mitsuru, from the Center for Global Education and Collaboration (GEC); and Anthoine Chinatsu, Administrative Staff of Division of International Affairs.

Representatives from Toyohashi University of Technology (TUT) Penang who were also present include the Special Appointed Vice-President, Professor Dr. Lim Pang Boey, and Fong Sew Khuan, Senior Administrative Staff of TUT.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa