KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 – The Malaysia-Japan Industrial & Innovation Expo 2025 (MJIIX 2025), organized by Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and co-organized by the Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry, Malaysia, LabBase Inc., and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), celebrated the enduring partnership between Malaysia and Japan through a vibrant showcase of innovation, research, and collaboration.
More than 500 participants including representatives from industries, government agencies, academia, and both local and international university students, took part in the event. MJIIX is one of MJIIT’s key initiatives to enhance networking with industries, in line with the objectives of the Sangaku-Renkei Centre (Academia-Industry Relations) established at MJIIT which aims to strengthen collaborative innovation and knowledge exchange between academia and the industrial sector.
Directed by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad, the event was held at Banquet Hall, Residensi UTM Kuala Lumpur. MJIIX 2025 featured plenary talk, industrial exhibitions, research competitions, alumni corner, and networking sessions that brought together academia, industry, and government stakeholders under the theme “Academia-Industry-Government: Expanding Horizons.” MJIIX 2025 is designed as a platform where knowledge transforms into application, a space for researchers, students, innovators and industry leaders to not only showcase accomplishments but to actively exchange idea and forge new collaborations.
The event began with an opening speech by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain, Dean of MJIIT, followed by welcoming remarks from Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat, UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni). The opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, who also delivered plenary talk on the topic “Academia-Industry-Government: Expanding Horizon.”
In his address, His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki emphasized the importance of Academia-Industry-Government collaboration between Japan and Malaysia. His plenary talk highlighted Japan’s innovation ecosystem, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) support mechanisms, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–Japan joint research opportunities. He also elaborated on Japan-Malaysia government cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), a regional initiative promoting practical energy transitions across Asia. The cooperation framework includes support for ASEAN energy roadmaps, the establishment of Asia Transition Finance, human resource development, and the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). These initiatives reaffirm Japan’s commitment to achieving decarbonization in tandem with sustainable economic growth through regional collaboration. The session also highlighted the ongoing Joint Satellite Lab under MJIIT’s iKohza, particularly the Tropical Biomass Technology Research Institute and Takasago Satellite Lab, which exemplifies long-term Malaysia-Japan cooperation, as well as industry innovations like Willer’s Smart City solutions and Leave a Nest Malaysia’s startup and technology education programs that connect Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTM and LabBase Inc., Japan, establishing LabBase as a Collaborative Partner of UTM. This partnership will strengthen cooperation in connecting MJIIT students and researchers with Japanese industries, while facilitating information sharing on study and scholarship opportunities in Japan.
Recognizing Excellence in Research and Innovation
Two major competitions were held during the event: the MJL-JACTIM Research Competition and the iKohza/Research Innovation Showcase, both highlighting the creativity and research excellence of students and researchers. In addition, the MYRA Research Award was presented to recognize outstanding research achievements among MJIIT’s iKohzas. The MJL–JACTIM Research Competitions recognized outstanding achievements across three categories. In the individual undergraduate category, Lui Zhong Ze from Xiamen University Malaysia was awarded with his project title “Smart Farm Monitoring System: An Intelligent 3D Agricultural Management Platform”. For the individual postgraduate category was won by Umairah Azzahra Zaidi from MJIIT, UTM for her project on “Deep Learning Models for Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: Invasive Lobular Carcinoma” and for group category, Lim Wern Eeu from MAHSA University and team were awarded for their project title “Sustainable Silver–Azadirachta Indica Nanoparticles for Targeted Control of Soil-Isolated Bacteria.”
The iKohza/Research Innovation Showcase 2025 recognized leading researchers with the Grand Award presented to Wang Yaping (Chemical Energy Conversions and Applications (ChECA) ikohza) for her project on “Photothermal Protein-Based Fibrous Absorbents For Crude Oil Spill Removal”. Semi Grand Awards were awarded to Ir. Dr. Shahira Liza Kamis (Tribology and Precision Machining (TriPreM) iKohza) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shaza Eva Mohamad (Algae Biomass iKohza), while 4 Gold Awards went to Vikneshvaran @ Abdul Hadi Tanabalam from Algae Biomass iKohza with project title “Azolla Innovation and Sustainable Feed For The Future of Agriculture”, Ir. Dr. Shahira Liza Kamis from TRIPEM iKohza with project title “From Waste to Wear Solution: Sustainable Grease for a Greener Future”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shaza Eva Mohamad from Algae Biomass iKohza with project title “Validation and Analysis of Algaewheel System at IWK Wastewater Treatment Plant” and Wang Yaping from ChECA iKohza with project title “Photothermal Protein-Based Fibrous Absorbents for Enhanced Crude Oil Spill Removal”.
The ceremony continued with the presentation of the MYRA Research Achievement Awards, which recognized outstanding research contributions in 2024 among MJIIT iKohzas, with the Industry Grant Award presented to iKohza Pattern Recognition & Robotics, the Publication Award to iKohza Vehicle System Engineering, and the Innovation Award also to iKohza Vehicle System Engineering.
The success of MJIIX 2025 was made possible through the strong support of two Gold Sponsors from T.T.E Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd. and NOK Corporation, and bronze sponsors from Yokogawa Electric (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., and other exhibitors.
In closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain, the Dean of MJIIT reflected on the significance of the day, emphasizing that MJIIX2025 has been a platform where ideas met opportunity, and where collaboration became action. She expressed heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the organizing team, industry partners, and all participants for their dedication and support.
“We have seen how research can be translated into real-world applications, how industries benefit from academic partnerships, and how governments can enable innovation for the greater good. Let us not see today as an ending, but as a beginning where connections grow into partnerships, and inspiration turns into action.”
Source: UTM NewsHub