PUNJAB, Apr 5 – The 16th International Faculty Exchange Programme (IFEP), conducted at Chandigarh University, India, was held from 27 March to 5 April 2026. The programme brought together academic staff from various international institutions, including representatives from the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The initiative aimed to strengthen academic collaboration, enhance teaching engagement, promote research networking, and support internationalisation efforts between MJIIT and Chandigarh University.
The MJIIT delegation comprised the Deputy Dean (Academic), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roshafima Rasit Ali; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shaza Eva Mohamad from the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad from the Department of Mechanical Precision Engineering (MPE), MJIIT.
Throughout the program, the delegates were hosted by the International Office of Chandigarh University and attached to relevant academic departments based on their areas of expertise, namely the Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering Departments. The program consisted of structured academic engagements involving teaching sessions, research discussions, academic meetings, institutional collaboration dialogues, and cultural visits with faculty members and students of Chandigarh University.
Prior to the commencement of teaching and academic activities, the MJIIT delegates engaged in preparatory work, including lecture planning and coordination with faculty members from the Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering Departments. These discussions focused on teaching arrangements, potential research collaborations, and opportunities for interdisciplinary academic engagement.
An official welcome ceremony was hosted by the International Office of Chandigarh University, featuring welcoming remarks by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Raviraja N. Seetharam, and the Executive Director of International Affairs, Prof. (Dr.) Rajan Sharma. The ceremony also provided a platform for introductions and networking between MJIIT delegates and faculty members from the respective departments.
The MJIIT delegates subsequently conducted teaching sessions aligned with their areas of expertise and departmental assignments. These sessions were followed by academic discussions with students and faculty members, focusing on knowledge exchange and identifying potential areas of research collaboration.
The delegation also participated in a research meeting at the University Centre for Research and Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University, where discussions centred on ongoing research initiatives, publication opportunities, and potential joint research collaborations. The session further facilitated informal exchanges on the student mobility programme and long-term academic cooperation between both institutions.
A formal meeting was also held with the International Office of Chandigarh University to discuss institutional collaboration. Key discussions included the potential extension of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), as well as opportunities for student mobility programmes, academic and staff exchange initiatives, joint research activities, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The programme concluded with a closing ceremony hosted by the International Office of Chandigarh University, during which certificates of participation as Visiting Lecturers were awarded to the MJIIT delegates.
Following the ceremony, the delegation participated in a cultural visit to several key landmarks in Chandigarh, including Sector 17, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Elante Nexus Mall, and Amayra Shopping Area. This visit provided valuable cultural exposure and further strengthened informal engagement with university students and staff.
In conclusion, the International Faculty Exchange Program conducted at Chandigarh University and attended by MJIIT, UTM, successfully achieved its objectives of strengthening academic collaboration, enhancing teaching engagement, and expanding research networking between both institutions.
The programme provided meaningful international exposure, fostered intercultural understanding, and reinforced institutional partnerships, establishing a strong foundation for future collaboration in teaching, research, and academic mobility initiatives.
Co-author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roshafima Rasit Ali, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM Kuala Lumpur