UT Establishes Its First Global Center in Malaysia Opening of the USM–UT Joint Technology & Innovation Centre
The University of Toyama (UT) officially inauguarated its first Global center,
USM–UT Joint Technology & Innovation Centre
on February 5 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The opening ceremony was attended by UT President, Prof. Dr. Shigeru Saito alongside representatives from both universities.
In conjunction with the opening of the Centre, UT and USM signed a University-wide Academic Exchange Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on Student Exchange strengthening collaboration between two universities. UT also appointed a Liaison Professor, and a symposium was held to commemorate the occasion. On February 6, UT and USM alongwith UT’s Global partner institutions jointly organized the Center Initiative for Training International Researchers (CITIR) Young Researcher Development Seminar “GAKU TALK.” During the seminar, 6 UT students delivered presentations in English and engaged in active discussions with participants.
The establishment of the Global center was led by the CITIR with the aim of promoting academic exchange with Global institutions, supporting the development of young researchers, and building a global research network. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ishwar Singh Parhar, Specially Appointed Professor of CITIR, UT has held extensive discussions since last year with USM, the Penang State Government, and the Government of Malaysia. With their cooperation and strong support, the Centre was successfully established.
Delegation Members
Prof. Shigeru Saito, President
Prof. Jing Zhang, Vice President and Director of the International Organization
Distinguished Research Prof. Ishwar Singh Parhar, CITIR
Prof. Chihiro Toda, Dean, Institute of Natural Medicine
Prof. Tsubasa Shoji, Institute of Natural Medicine
Prof. Yoshimi Nakagawa, Institute of Natural Medicine
Assoc. Prof. Suresh Aware, Institute of Natural Medicine
Asst Prof. Kazutaka Akagi, Institute of Natural Medicine
Ms. Mie Azuchi, Manager, International Affairs Division
Ms. Kaori Odake, Deputy Manager, International Affairs Division
Mr. Akira Yamada, Section Chief, International Affairs Division
Ms. Yume Takaki, Staff Member, International Affairs
On February 5, the UT delegation visited USM. Established in 1969 in the state of Penang, USM is a national comprehensive university in Malaysia and has been designated by the Malaysian government as a Research University.
The opening ceremony of the USM–UT Joint Technology & Innovation Centre was attended by Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, alongside representatives from both universities. The event featured a series of presentations highlighting the institutions’ initiatives and collaborations:
● Introduction to Universiti Sains Malaysia
YBrs. Prof. Dr. Habibah A. Wahab, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), USM
● Penang Internationalization Initiatives
YB Jagdeep Singh Deo A/L Karpal Singh, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang
● Introduction to the University of Toyama and Delegates
Prof. Dr. Shigeru Saito, President, UT
● Role of CITIR in the Internationalisation of UT
Prof. Dr. Ishwar Singh Parhar, Chief Director, CITIR, UT
Speakers emphasized the importance of promoting academic exchange between UT and USM, strengthening collaboration between Japan and Malaysia, and advancing university–industry cooperation.
At the official opening, representatives from both universities signed a commemorative plaque displayed at the Centre, formally marking its establishment. This was followed by the signing of the Academic Exchange Agreement and the Student Exchange Memorandum of Understanding.
Dr. Siti Rafidah Yusof was appointed as UT’s Liaison Professor, serving as a key bridge between the two institutions. The ceremony concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts from both universities.
Following the opening ceremony, UT and USM jointly held the symposium “CDR-INM Science Talks.” Researchers from both universities presented their work in the field of traditional Japanese and herbal medicine, introducing ongoing research initiatives and engaging in lively discussions on future collaborative research utilizing the Global center.
On February 6, UT, together with USM and Global partner universities, hosted the CITIR Seminar “GAKU TALK.” The seminar aimed to support the development of young researchers and to build a global research network. 17 graduate students from USM and 6 students from UT presented their research in English and engaged in active discussions with attendees and gaining valuable international presentation experience. The even brought many USM researchers in person, while participants from UT and other partner universities including IIT Kharagpur,India, Gadjah Mada, Indonesia joined Gaku Talk online.
As the final event of the Global program, the UT delegation visited the Global center located within the Centre for Drug Research at USM. While viewing the facilities, UT and USM representatives exchanged views on future research activities and academic exchange.
The establishment of UT’s first Global center is expected to contribute significantly to the further globalization of the University’s education and research activities through university-wide utilization.
