USM and Japan varsity take new partnership beyond research

USM joins OU Asean campuses to embark on a new level of partnership.

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) has been selected to join Osaka University (OU) Asean campuses in embarking on a new level of partnership.

Both parties officially affirmed this collaboration through a virtual signing ceremony of Addendum, which marks a commitment to strengthen a relationship beyond research laboratories.

PKT Logistics Group chief executive and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio was appointed as OU’s collaborative professor. His role would be to connect industry players to academia and create opportunities for collaboration.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan said the documents signed would ensure that there would be a commitment in terms of more meaningful cooperation.

“This will allow OU-USM joint laboratories to carry out research activities, develop and conduct international double degree programmes, as well as participate in university-industry collaborations.”

He added that USM had also provided a designated office at the USM-Toray building and would facilitate the use of lecture halls and other facilities if so required.

“I understand that the OU Asean campuses Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) co-creation network is comprised of several research areas such as on climate change, air pollution, food loss and plastic waste, which match well with the strength of USM’s researchers.

“We have been making accelerated research progress in the field of advanced materials, engineering (water and environment), health and well-being, as well as cultural, heritage and community development, as portrayed by the increasing number of publications and citations over the past five years,” added Prof Faisal Rafiq.

USM deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the smart partnership between both parties was aimed at finding solutions that matter to humankind and providing solutions to global challenges in contributing to SDG.

He highlighted one of the programmes, namely the OU International Certificate, where five subjects were given focus, namely advanced industrial biotechnology; nanoscience and nanotechnology as manufacturing core; introduction to computational materials design; frontier engineering science: an introduction through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-centered learning, as well as halal science, technology and innovation (HaSTI).

“USM has the strength in most of these subjects and I am confident that our students and staff will take part in the programme as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tio who is also serving as USM’s adjunct professor, said his appointment as collaborative professor would enhance the relationship between both parties.

“It is truly a pleasure to be part of a collaboration between Malaysia and Japan, as my company PKT Logistics Group has also been working closely with Japanese partners for over 20 years.

“I look forward to building new connections and opening up more opportunities for both parties in the future,” he added.