Non-credit Academic Mobility to SIT Tokyo empowers engineering, technology, and culture

TOKYO, 27 November 2025 – A total of 12 students from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), participated in a non-credit mobility programme to Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Tokyo, Japan, under the collaboration of the Centre for Academic Collaboration and Mobility, UMPSA, from 23 to 27 November 2025.

The Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) of FTKKP, Ts. Dr. Azizul Helmi Sofian, who also served as the programme director, stated that the main objective of the mobility programme is to provide international exposure to students, particularly from the perspective of technological innovation, global research approaches, and learning culture in Japan.

“It also serves as an important platform in connecting engineering and technology minds as well as building cultural ties between Malaysia and Japan in line with the theme of this programme, namely Bridging Engineering Minds and Cultural Bonds.

“The intensive visit provided opportunities for students to visit SIT, Toyosu Campus, Tokyo and be taken to tour several main facilities at SIT, such as research laboratories, smart technology centres, and innovation spaces that house high-technology engineering projects.

“Through sharing sessions with SIT lecturers and researchers, the FTKKP delegation was exposed to the latest developments in the fields of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), materials engineering, green technology, and smart campus systems,” he said.

He also had the opportunity to share FTKKP and UMPSA expertise in an academic discussion session with the Deputy Director of the Innovative Global Program (IGP) of SIT, Associate Professor Dr Shahrol Mohamaddan, who is also a chief researcher in the field of ergonomics and biomechanics, a session which is important in pioneering collaborative space between universities, cross-border research development, and cooperation opportunities for future projects.

In the same session, two FTKKP student representatives, Amir Syarifudin, who is currently pursuing doctoral studies, shared research findings related to the production of bio-fertiliser through mushrooms, and Muhamad Najmi Hakim, who shared experiences throughout his previous diploma studies.

The knowledge-sharing session continued with presentations by IGP programme students, Anushka, who presented research findings related to patient stroke rehabilitation processes using AI, followed by a presentation by Stephen on DeepLabCut and AI.

In the afternoon, students were brought to the Chemical Materials Research Centre under the supervision of Professor Noda Kazuhiko, where students were given explanations related to battery cell research, erosion and corrosion, as well as an informal session with laboratory students at their innovation space.

In addition to academic content, the programme provided opportunities for students to explore Japanese culture through community visits, interaction with SIT students, and participation in cultural exchange activities.

This simultaneously helped to strengthen relations between both institutions and build wider professional networks.

In addition, the programme continued with CSR activities at Masjid Nusantara Akihabara and Masjid Assalam Ueno, Tokyo.

Students took the opportunity to tidy and clean the prayer spaces as well as socialise with local congregants there.

Cultural exploration continued with a visit to Asakusa Shrine, and students had the opportunity to learn Japanese calligraphy and wear kimonos.

They also took the opportunity to taste ramen and monjayaki, which are among the special dishes there.

It is hoped that programmes such as this can be continued in the future as one of the efforts to strengthen the position of the university in the field of engineering and technology at the global level, in addition to providing meaningful international exposure to students.

By: Siti Fatimah Nuh, Ts. Dr. Azizul Helmi Sofian, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP)

Translation by: Ts. Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press