FUKUOKA, 16 March 2026 – Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Pulau Pinang (UiTMCPP) has reaffirmed its commitment to global academic excellence through the official renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT), Japan on 3 February 2026. The strategic visit and signing ceremony mark a decade-defining milestone in the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions, focusing on advanced research, international mobility, and engineering pedagogy.
The ceremony was conducted in a hybrid format, bridging the geographical gap between Malaysia and Japan. Representing UiTM virtually were the Rector of UiTMCPP, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Hj. Ahmad Rashidy Razali, alongside Assistant Rector (Bertam Campus) Ts. Dr. Mohamad Azhar Mohd Noor and Dr. Nor Khadijah Mohd Azhari from the Office of International Affairs (OIA). At the FIT campus in Fukuoka, the delegation was received by FIT President, Prof. Dr. Riichi Murayama, and Vice President Prof. Dr. Baorong Ni.
The renewed MoU establishes a robust framework for Enhanced Student Mobility: Facilitating cross-border experiential learning, Joint Research Initiatives: Collaborative inquiries into high-impact engineering and technology disciplines and Global Project-Based Learning (gPBL): Strengthening the flagship programme that integrates academic theory with industry-scale challenges.
Following the formal proceedings, the UiTM delegation—led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Azlan Othman—conducted a technical pitching and demonstration session for the gPBL 2026 cycle. The team showcased advanced robotic system prototypes integrated with NI myRIO hardware and LabVIEW software. Developed in collaboration with National Instruments (NI), these prototypes serve as a benchmark for aligning student learning outcomes with current global industry standards.
The visit also featured guest lectures and research engagement meetings involving Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Salwa Damanhuri, Ir. Dr. Rozan Boudville, and Dr. Belinda Chong Chiew Meng. These sessions provided a platform for meaningful academic dialogue on joint supervision and high-impact scholarly publications, further solidifying the intellectual ties between the two nations.
This continued partnership underscores UiTMCPP’s aspiration to be a leader in global engineering education. By fostering impactful international partnerships like that with FIT, UiTM ensures its graduates are equipped with interdisciplinary problem-solving skills and the global competencies required to thrive in a technology-driven world.