Strengthening International Research Collaboration: Malaysian Leading Universities Visit NYUST, Focusing on AI, Sustainable Development, and Joint Program Initiatives
The Office of International Affairs at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (NYUST) warmly welcomed delegations from two leading Malaysian universities—Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)—on June 23, 2026. The visit aimed to further deepen Taiwan–Malaysia cooperation in higher education and to expand substantive collaboration in academic research, talent cultivation, and industry–academia engagement.
The exchange meeting was hosted by Vice President Ming-Chang Wu, with support from Mr. Cheng-Yuan Huang, Section Chief of the Division of International Exchange, Office of International Affairs. The Malaysian delegation comprised distinguished representatives, including Prof. Dr. Awis Qurni Bin Sazili, Director of the Halal Products Research Institute at UPM, as well as Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Khaironi Yatim and Ts. Dr. M. Luqman B. Mahamad Zakaria from the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at UTP.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is a leading public research university in Malaysia, originally established with a strong foundation in agricultural sciences and has since developed into a comprehensive institution covering engineering, science, and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation-driven research. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), fully owned by Malaysia’s national oil company PETRONAS, is a private research university recognized for its strong focus on engineering and technology, with long-term research priorities in energy security and sustainable living.
During the discussion, the delegation expressed strong impressions of NYUST’s multifunctional library and reached consensus on multiple potential collaboration directions. The two sides outlined a broad framework for future cooperation across ten key areas, including student exchange and short-term programs, joint international research projects, co-supervision of postgraduate students, cross-border final year project collaboration, joint applications for international funding, industry–academia cooperation, co-development of micro-credit courses, joint conferences and seminars, innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, and faculty exchange programs.
Research collaboration will focus on forward-looking fields such as responsible artificial intelligence and data analytics, smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, sustainable technologies (including green manufacturing and carbon management), Internet of Things and connectivity technologies, and digital transformation.
A key highlight of the visit was NYUST’s introduction of its upcoming INTENSE Program in collaboration with ASE Technology Holding (ASE). This innovative industry-academia talent cultivation model, integrating leading semiconductor industry resources with higher education training, received strong interest and positive feedback from both UPM and UTP representatives. The Malaysian delegation expressed keen interest in participating in the program and anticipated actively recommending outstanding students to study in Taiwan, thereby strengthening technical training and aligning with global industry needs.
Vice President Wu emphasized that NYUST looks forward to combining UTP’s strong expertise in energy and engineering, UPM’s strengths in agriculture and innovative sciences, and NYUST’s excellence in smart technologies and manufacturing-oriented industry collaboration to jointly develop impactful solutions for industry and society. He further noted that the university plans to formalize future cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and/or Memoranda of Agreement (MoA), translating collaborative visions into concrete actions toward a technology-driven sustainable future. He also expressed sincere appreciation to NYUST Yushan Scholar Prof. Arun Kumar Sangaiah for facilitating the connection with the two Malaysian universities, reaffirming NYUST’s commitment to advancing substantive cooperation.
Vice President Ming-Chang Wu of NYUST, faculty members, and representatives from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) gather for a commemorative group photo.
Malaysian delegation members gain in-depth understanding of NYUST’s academic features and international collaboration development strategies.
NYUST library staff provide guided tours to representatives from UPM and UTP, showcasing digital applications and audiovisual resources.
Organizer: Office of International Affairs
Head of Office: Yeh Hui-Ching
Contact Person: Luo Yu-Han
Tel: Ext. 2392
