Dean Prof. Ali Selamat Courtesy visit to Prime Minister Tun Mahathir of MJIIT UTM and the way forward on Look East Policy

by dylanahmad | Aug 13, 2019 | MJIIT Events, MJIIT Staff Events

Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir’s visit to Japan last week further symbolizes the vast potential Malaysia & Japan could learn from each other.

Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology MJIIT UTM’s moving forward strategy is to strongly enhance academic, research and human talent development alongside its 29 Japanese university counterparts (the Japanese University Consortium) and a multitude of Japanese MNCs and communities.

Seen here is MJIIT UTM’s Dean, Professor Dr. Ali bin Selamat with YAB Tun Mahathir, sharing a moment of triumph, reflection and plans on how MJIIT UTM is moving forward with the Look East Policy 2.0 initiatives.

Workplace Ethics and Dressing Etiquette Workshop with Mr. Rudy Ludinata

by dylanahmad | Aug 13, 2019 | MJIIT Events, MJIIT Staff Events

From left: Dr. Akbariah Mohd Mahdzir, Dr. Rahayu Tasnim, Mr. Rudy Ludinata, Mr. Zurik Azaham, Dr. Sumiaty Ambran

One of the branding initiatives of MJIIT is to strengthen and upgrade the “ABC’s” of our support mechanism, and in particular, the line-up of our support staffs. In self-branding researches, it is proven that branding encompasses “what people ‘see’ in us”, and with this, “both visual and mental images” of us indefinitely shape how others perceive us.

This mental “image”, according to researches, are processed in our brains in split seconds, based on three variables:

Our APPEARANCE – 57%
Our BEHAVIOUR – 38%
The way we COMMUNICATE – 7%

It’s evident that people construct long lasting mental images based on how we “look like”; i.e. how ‘professional’ we look? how confident we ‘appear’? what specific values are we promoting/’appearing’ with?…and the list of mental inquiries continues.

Mr. Rudy giving his talk.

On the 9th of August 2019, MJIIT kick-started it’s inaugural support staff development program, a series of training and field trips (real-life exposures) tailored to motivate and guide MJIIT’s support team in self-branding efforts.

Mr. Rudy Ludinata, a reputed image consultant for government officials was invited to kick-start the 1st workshop under this 10-months program. All our support staffs joined the workshop and it became an “instant hit” as Mr. Ludinata unveiled major “crimes” in professional grooming and appearance and how may MJIIT staffs self-brand themselves to ‘appear’ more professional and efficient.

We look forward to an impactful ‘image’ transformation soon and we hope that all will join hands to make this happen. InshaAllah.

よくやった Yoku yatta, well done everyone!

Mr. Zurik Azaham presented a souvenir to Mr. Rudy as a token of appreciation at the end of the talk.

The attendees posing with Mr. Rudy at MOT Student Lounge Room, Level 10, MJIIT.

What You Need to Know About MJIIT UTM: A Driving Force for The Look East Policy 2.0

by dylanahmad | Aug 1, 2019 | MJIIT Events, MJIIT Staff Events

Photo by EPA-EFE: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad exchanging greetings with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the end of their joint news conference at Abe’s official residence in Tokyo, on Nov 6, 2018.

The relationship between Malaysia-Japan has portrayed a significant development since the diplomatic friendship was established in 1957, and is now entering a new phase through the Look East Policy (LEP) 2.0, pioneering many opportunities for both countries. LEP 2.0 is expected to continuously improve the collaboration of training and education with more focus on economical aspects in advancing the trade and investment potentials that are also the prime concern for both Malaysia and Japan.

Inspired and launched by YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed in 1982, LEP is seen to remain relevant and it is now looked at from a wider perspective. LEP 2.0 is not only generating opportunities and expanding investments, but is also a bridge to share and exchange knowledge and skills in order to accelerate Malaysia’s progress in striving in this industrial revolution. The three potential industries to be enhanced in LEP 2.0 are the halal, education and tourism industries.

One of the initiatives introduced to drive LEP in the education sector is the establishment of tertiary education institutions incorporating the Japanese-style engineering education in Malaysia. In the year November 2001, a notable consensus is made between YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and H.E. Koizumi Junichiro in the ASEAN3+ Summit to establish a ‘Japanese-style engineering education’ university in Malaysia.

In December 2005, the Malaysia-Japan University Centre was established in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and in April 2010, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and H.E. Koizumi Junichiro have agreed to form ‘Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology’ (MJIIT) under UTM. Months later, the government of Malaysia was awarded the Yen Loan Project from the Japanese government leading to the establishment of a special consortium, the ‘Japanese University Consortium’ (JUC), comprising of 29 leading Japanese universities to help in structuring the curriculum, research and incorporating critical thinking skills in MJIIT.

MJIIT UTM was launched in September 2011 with the concrete support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In July 2013, the first phase of the JICA Technical Cooperation Project was launched. The 5 years of this first phase has recorded the formation of 18 iKohza (research centres), 70 research laboratories (including service laboratories), the development of a comprehensive Japanese engineering curriculum, including mechanical programmes, electrical, green and environmental engineering technology as well as technology management, joint-supervision program with professors in Japan, double degrees with various Japanese universities, practical training and exchange of students and academics to Japan, as well as various Japanese industry initiatives in Malaysia.

Photo by UTM: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during the MJIIT Premier Lecture Series 2018 in UTM Kuala Lumpur.

This phase has also looked at the employability of MJIIT graduates among the leading Japanese companies and has attracted the Japanese to further their studies in MJIIT. MJIIT’s efforts to provide Japanese language exposure at various levels as well as the exposure to the Japanese work culture has provided a great opportunity for MJIIT graduates to serve in Japan. These graduates will return with valuable experience to be shared and learned by the local industries. A total of 30 selected Japanese professors from JUC have contributed to the development of MJIIT throughout this first phase.

Following MJIIT’s achievements, the second phase of JICA Technical Cooperation Project was launched in July 2018 with the purpose of reinforcing and restrategising on the Japanese-style oriented education and research in MJIIT, along the collaboration with other universities and Japanese industrial partners. Some of the missions in this phase are the establishment of special research funds, reinforcing the i-Kohza system (a research centre that is based on the “senpai-kohai” concept), the launch of the “Sangaku-Renkei” centre, which will drive the relationship between Japan-Malaysia academics and industries, strengthening all academic programmes and developing new ones which will contribute to the Industrial Revolution 4.0, as well as strengthening laboratory services and research collaborations with the industries.

Aligned with the launch of the second phase of the JICA Technical Cooperation Project, MJIIT is now steering towards a more contributive role to the LEP 2.0, where transparency and values are the prime policies to achieve sustainable development, efficiency, and visibility as an upgraded version of MJIIT that is relevant to today’s international dynamics. MJIIT operations is seeing continuous improvements, in line with its ‘kaizen’ concept and openness, while also promoting a holistic and persistent work culture through existing talents in UTM and its Japanese counterparts to meet the global needs.

Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Kemubu’s (KADA) official visit to MJIIT

by dylanahmad | Jul 24, 2019 | MJIIT Events, MJIIT Staff Events

News from the Media Room of Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) UTM:

On 17th July, 2019 marks the day of the first ever Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Kemubu’s (KADA) official visit to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (UTMKL), specifically to MJIIT UTM. We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude towards YB Senator Datuk Haji Husam bin Musa, Dato’ Frankie P. B. Cheah from the Green Master Global Fine Food Sdn Bhd, KADA board of directors, and delegates, for dropping by and journeying all the way from Kelantan. This visit comes with the purpose to discuss on the potential collaborations between KADA and MJIIT UTM.

Prof. Dr. Ali bin Selamat with YB Senator Datuk Haji Husam bin Musa, Dato’ Frankie P. B. Cheah.