STIC drives UMPSA Sports Technology collaboration in Tokyo

TOKYO, JAPAN, 15 April 2026 — Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), through its Department of Research and Innovation (Jabatan Penyelidikan dan Inovasi, JPI), paid a visit to the Institute of Science Tokyo as part of its ongoing efforts to expand international collaboration in sports technology.

At the centre of this initiative is UMPSA’s Sports Technology Innovation Centre (STIC), a Centre of Excellence (CoE) under JPI that focuses on advancing research and development in sports-related technologies.

The visit provided an opportunity for both sides to better understand each other’s strengths and explore areas where collaboration could be mutually beneficial.

The delegation was led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, with coordination by the President of the Malaysia Sports Technology Association (MySTA), Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Hasnun Arif Hassan.

According to Professor Ts. Dr. Aida, the visit marks an important step in strengthening UMPSA’s global research engagement, particularly in niche areas such as sports technology that are gaining increasing relevance.

“Discussions were open and constructive, touching on several aspects of sports technology such as athlete performance analysis, biomechanics, and the growing role of digital tools in training and monitoring. 

“While still at an early stage, both parties were able to identify a few areas worth pursuing further, particularly in joint research, exchange of expertise, and potential development projects,” she said.

The Institute of Science Tokyo is among Japan’s leading science and technology universities.

Previously known as Tokyo Institute of Technology, it is currently ranked #9 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, reflecting its strong standing in STEM fields. 

The university is also known for being highly selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 10%, and for its strong emphasis on advanced science, engineering, and real-world application.

For UMPSA, the visit reflects a broader effort by JPI to steadily build meaningful research partnerships, particularly in areas with clear industry relevance.

Within this landscape, STIC plays a focused role in driving initiatives related to sports technology.

Moving forward, both institutions are expected to continue discussions to better define the scope of collaboration and identify practical next steps.

While still exploratory, the engagement marks a positive step towards building a working relationship grounded in shared interests and complementary strengths.

By: Mohd Nizam Abdul Rashid, Research and Innovation Department