MoHE: Zambry's visit strengthens Malaysia-Japan ties, with focus on AI, semiconductors and student exchange
In a statement today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025-2035, which is currently being formulated.
According to the ministry, emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are ready to participate in a future innovation-driven economy.
Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia-Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology.
MOHE said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy).
MOHE stated that Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
According to the statement, the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields.
The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies.
'The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy,' the statement read.
Zambry also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which provided the MOHE team with the opportunity to observe the latest technologies in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing. The visit also highlighted the potential for collaboration between AIST and Malaysian research institutions such as MIMOS, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
MOHE reported that Zambry met with the President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof Kyosuke Nagata, with discussions focusing on strengthening the university's branch campus in Malaysia and expanding its programmes to a higher level, including collaboration in the field of High-TVET.
In addition, MOHE said that Zambry's preliminary discussion with Prof Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Soka University, opened new opportunities to expand the centre and explore research in comparative religion, as well as foster research collaboration between Soka University and Malaysian institutions.
According to MOHE, Zambry also visited the Kaneka Osaka Plant, a high-tech research and production centre involved in the development of advanced chemical and biotechnological materials. Discussions were held on potential researcher and student exchanges between Malaysia and Japan to support talent growth in high-tech sectors.
Zambry also visited the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo Osaka and met with Malaysian postgraduate students in Tokyo, reaffirming the ministry's continued commitment to the welfare and support of Malaysian students abroad.
MOHE said the Higher Education Week concluded on July 26, 2025, at Expo Osaka with the theme 'Study in Malaysia', attracting 100,000 visitors over six days — a clear indication of the overwhelming response to Malaysia's participation on the international stage.
Expo Osaka is held every five years and features participation from 158 countries, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
a minute ago
- Malay Mail
Fadillah: Malaysia could go nuclear within 10 years, if public gives green light
KUCHING, Aug 3 — The government is studying the possibility of implementing nuclear energy projects in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah due to the high demand for stable energy in both regions, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), said the suitability of locations near water sources such as rivers, seas or large lakes was a key consideration in the ongoing feasibility study for nuclear plant cooling systems. 'For Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, nuclear projects are viable because what we need now is a constant energy source. 'In Sarawak, there is no issue because hydropower already contributes almost 70 per cent, while in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, hydropower resources are not as abundant due to their heavier reliance on gas and diesel, which are still based on non-clean sources,' he told reporters after officiating the MUSCS Pickleball Arena here today. He said no final decisions had been made regarding the technology, location or capacity to be used, as the government was still conducting a comprehensive study coordinated by MyPower Corporation, the implementing agency of the National Nuclear Energy Programme. Fadillah said in addition to technical requirements, the study would also examine the most suitable technology, development of local expertise, safety aspects, environmental impact, and the overall financing capability of the project. 'All of these aspects must be carefully assessed. Only when we are satisfied and the public accepts the use of nuclear energy will we proceed to finalise the implementation… our projection is that the earliest it could be implemented is within the next 10 years,' he said. He added that the government was also exploring new technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and was planning several working visits abroad to identify the best, safest, and most cost-effective technologies for Malaysia. 'That's why I visited Russia and France, and God willing, I will also visit South Korea, Japan, China, and finally the United States,' he said. Yesterday, PETRA said in a statement that nuclear energy development was being studied as a clean, stable and competitive energy source for Malaysia's future, with a gradual approach based on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Coming soon: Domestic Trade Ministry to crack down on middlemen with new price and supply tracker
PENAMPANG, Aug 3 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will develop a Price and Supply Repository System during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the system would enable the government to monitor prices and supply comprehensively from producers and wholesalers to retailers and consumers. 'With this supply and pricing data chain, the government can monitor more effectively and detect manipulation by middlemen who inflate prices. 'KPDN will collaborate with various ministries, including the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Madani Nationhood Seminar organised by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM) at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) here today. Armizan said the system will not only strengthen the food supply chain but also help detect exactly where price hikes or manipulation occur within the distribution process. At the same time, a study on the factors behind price differences in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan was launched this year. A separate Price Stability Committee has been established for each state. He said that the committee, co-chaired by himself and Sabah Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being, Datuk James Ratib, will evaluate five key items in Sabah, including chicken prices. Armizan also said a preliminary report had already been presented by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for Sabah and Labuan, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is conducting the study for Sarawak. 'UMS has proposed five essential items that can be addressed in the short term to solve the issue. We will examine their initial findings before proceeding to the second phase of the study,' he said. — Bernama
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI roadmap focuses on ethics, innovation and equitable growth
KUALA LUMPUR: The new AI Action Plan 2026-2030, which will guide the country towards becoming an 'inclusive and sustainable' Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, focuses on ethics, innovation and equitable growth, the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) said. The roadmap outlines five key priorities, namely, delivering measurable sectoral impact, embedding responsible AI, building talent pipelines, supporting local innovation, and ensuring coordinated government execution. "Inclusivity means ensuring AI benefits all segments of society - across regions, income levels, ages and abilities - by expanding access to AI education and tools, supporting SMEs, startups and underserved communities, and promoting multilingual and culturally relevant AI solutions," NAIO told the New Straits Times. Sustainability, meanwhile, covers economic resilience, environmental responsibility and evolving safeguards. The Action Plan also aims to close the digital divide through literacy programmes in underserved communities, empower cooperatives with AI tools, and create real-world use cases in areas such as health, education and agriculture. The office said public consultations on a comprehensive AI Governance Framework, which integrates ethical principles, regulatory recommendations and safeguards for responsible AI use, will also follow once its draft framework is approved. Malaysia is currently ranked second in Asean and 23rd globally in AI readiness. The government has made key strides since 2021, with major investments in supercomputing capacity, such as YTL-Nvidia AI Cloud, and chip development, such as ARM IP licensing. "This step is crucial to ensure Malaysia's AI governance is transparent, inclusive and grounded in societal values, while aligning with global best practices," it added. On July 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia aims to be an "inclusive and sustainable" Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government wants the country to become a regional hub for digital technology innovation and the production of " Made by Malaysia" products and services, he said.
