UMPSA explores collaboration with Jonetsu Company Inc. Japan for inclusive ecosystem

PEKAN, 29 May 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) explores collaboration with Jonetsu Company Inc. to share expertise and best practices in establishing a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem through international collaboration and networking, with the aim of empowering persons with disabilities (PwD) community through technology, innovation, and education.

Jonetsu Company Inc. is a company with over 50 per cent of its employees being persons with disabilities (PwD who operate agricultural farms covering rice, vegetables, and fruits in Tokushima, Japan.

The inclusive approach implemented has enabled Jonetsu to position the agricultural sector as a social infrastructure capable of addressing rural employment issues, developing ikigai community farms, researching food waste composting, and establishing strategic cooperation with academic institutions.

The ceremony witnessed UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, exchanging a memorandum of understanding (MoU) document with the Chief Executive Officer of Jonetsu Company Inc. Japan, Miki Yoshikazu.

According to Professor Dr. Yatimah, besides sharing best practices at the international level, this collaboration is also seen as a means to adapt technology to support the needs of PwD in daily life and skills development.

“UMPSA plays a strategic role as a Hub for Inclusive Technology and Ecosystem (HATi) and a One-Stop Inclusive Centre for Reference, Training, and Hybrid Community driven by the local and global community of technologist activists.

“This effort realises the UMPSA Strategic Plan Agenda 2021–2025 through the Strategic Objective of Ecosystem Excellence.

“One of the campus community well-being agendas is to focus on the health and safety of UMPSA citizens, which will also include attention towards the PwD group,” she stated.

She further added that this includes aspects related to the PwD community, such as functional limitations and barriers in terms of accessibility and mobility, through the optimisation of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), big data, and augmented reality (AR).

The programme was held in conjunction with the Closing Ceremony and Prize Presentation of the International Carnival on Inclusive Technology and Ecosystem (iNCLUSIVE) 2025, officiated by the Honourable Senator Isaiah D. Jacob, a member of the Senate.

Also present were the Secretary of Special Duties Division, ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Mohd Suhaimi Jaafar; Head of the PwD Transformation Centre USM-MAIK, Dr. Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Rahim; Director of the Inclusive Services Centre UMPSA, Dr. Munira Abdul Razak; and Special Education Teacher of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kuala Krau, Mohammad Hazeem Azemi.

iNCLUSIVE 2025 was organised for the first time, focusing on ‘Inclusive Technology and Ecosystem’ as an enabler of inclusive communities, particularly for individuals with special needs.

Participants included academic experts and students with disabilities from across the country, as well as orphans, agencies, and representatives from local and international industries from countries such as Japan, Indonesia, and Sweden.

Other activities included exhibitions by agencies and industries related to inclusivity, virtual conferences, innovation competitions, and an e-sports clinic. 

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press