USM PENANG, 28 August 2025 – The School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently hosted The Malaysia–Japan Dialogue: Bridging Culture, Sustainability, and Global Challenges in collaboration with the Centre for Malaysian Studies, Soka University and The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur.

Held at the School Conference Room, it brought together scholars, students, and professionals from both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and foster meaningful academic and cultural exchanges.

This one-day programme served as a platform to continue existing partnerships while exploring new avenues for cooperation.

Discussions centred on cross-cultural education, historical linkages, sustainability issues, industry collaboration, and student mobility, all of which align closely with the USM internationalisation agenda.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran, who is Exercising the Functions of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Development Affairs and Alumni, USM and representing the Vice-Chancellor, emphasised the significance of such initiatives in shaping impactful academic experiences.

“I am pleased to share that four students from the School of Social Sciences will soon participate in an outbound mobility programme at the Centre for Malaysian Studies, Soka University.

Additionally, two USM students recently participated in the Essay Contest organised by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur. These are excellent examples of how our partnerships are already creating impactful learning opportunities,” he said.

Azlan highlighted the tangible outcomes from partnerships by USM with Japanese institutions, citing student participation in mobility programmes and essay contests as examples of meaningful learning experiences.

“These efforts not only enrich the academic environment for students and staff, but also support the broader internationalisation goals of USM,” he said.

Officiating the event, the Consul-General of Japan in Penang, Machida Shinya, praised the dialogue as a meaningful effort to bridge academic and cultural cooperation between the two nations.

“I feel this dialogue and subsequent Japanese legal studies with honours programme represent a highly unique and meaningful initiative. It mirrors the efforts of the Japanese universities and establishes such interdisciplinary cooperation between Japan and Malaysia, right here in Malaysia,” he said.

Machida also mentioned that he looks forward to a future where Japan and Malaysia share diverse values and experiences, learning from each other, and mutually elevate one another.

Following that, the keynote speech was addressed by Dr. Md Nasrudin Md Akhir, Former Visiting Professor at the Centre for Malaysian Studies, Soka University, and Former Lecturer of East Asian Studies, Universiti Malaya, entitled “Malaysian Studies in Japan and Japanese Studies in Malaysia: A Historical Perspective.”

The address highlighted the importance of transcending disciplinary silos in order to develop a more holistic understanding of societies.

“The central purpose is to eliminate the distinctive identities, complexities, and trajectories of nations and regions. In doing so, they remind us to think beyond the silos of our disciplines towards a more holistic understanding of human societies. In general, language has always been a natural gateway to area studies and country studies,” he explained.

The programme agenda continued with five wonderful dialogue sessions, each addressing diverse aspects of Malaysia–Japan relations:

• Session 1: Cross-Cultural Knowledge Exchange – Malaysia–Japan Academic Ties and Cultural Exchange
• Session 2: Industry Insight – Malaysia–Japan Industrial Partnerships for a Future-Ready Society
• Session 3: Culture, Heritage and Policy – Cultural Narratives through Policy and Society
• Session 4: Historical Narratives and Identity – Narrating the Past, Understanding the Present
• Session 5: Education, Exchange and Industry Ties – Education and Industry Pathways between Malaysia and Japan.

In delivering the closing remarks, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, commended the active role of students and young scholars in shaping future collaborations.

“It is also heartening to witness the active participation of students and young scholars in this dialogue. Their curiosity and energy reinforce our belief that the next generation will continue to nurture the Malaysia–Japan relationship with innovation, inclusivity, and global-mindedness.”

In addition, Mohamad Shaharudin also stated and hoped that the connections formed and the knowledge shared today will lead to long-lasting partnerships that would benefit not only our institutions, but also our broader communities.

The Malaysia–Japan Dialogue marks a significant step forward in strengthening cultural, academic, and industry partnerships between both countries, while supporting the vision of USM in fostering global engagement and sustainable collaboration.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Penang, Kuroe Kosuke; Member of the Board of Governors, USM, Profesor Dato’ Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian; Deputy Dean, (Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement), School of Social Sciences USM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh; Chairperson, Malaysia-Japan Dialogue 2025, Dr. Nur Hafeeza Ahmad Pazil; distinguished keynote speakers, presenters and delegates.

Text: Muhammad Iman Daniel Muhammad Asrul, MPRC industrial trainee/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin