KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 30 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Malaysia–Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), successfully organised the programme “Malaysia–Japan Strategic Partnership: Engineering a Resilient Palestine – A Joint Initiative for Sustainable Infrastructure, Capacity Building, and Humanitarian Resilience” at Dewan Azman Hashim, UTM Kuala Lumpur.
The programme marked an important milestone in the collaboration between Malaysia, Japan and Palestine, bringing together diplomats, development partners, university leaders, academics, students and representatives from participating organisations. It provided a strategic platform to strengthen international cooperation in supporting Palestine through higher education, engineering, research, innovation and long-term human capital development.
The event was officiated by Deputy Director General of Higher Education (Academic and Research), Prof. Dr. Zainal Amin Ayub, representing the Minister of Higher Education (MOHE). Also in attendance were the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka; the Vice-Chancellor of UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim; the Ambassadors of Palestine and Japan to Malaysia, Jehad Fouad Alqedra and Noriyuki Shikata, respectively and other distinguished guests and representatives from the participating organisations.
Investing in Palestine’s Future through Education
A major highlight of the programme was the signing of an agreement between JICA and UTM, through MJIIT, to provide postgraduate education and research opportunities for Palestinian students in engineering, science and technology. The scholarship initiative is planned to run for six years, from October 2026 to April 2032, and is expected to support approximately 15 to 20 Palestinian students across several cohorts. Under the initiative, JICA will provide key scholarship support, while UTM and MJIIT will offer postgraduate education, research supervision, access to laboratories and research facilities, academic guidance, institutional assistance and a conducive learning environment for the participating students.
The collaboration recognises that the long-term recovery and reconstruction of Palestine will require not only the rebuilding of physical infrastructure, but also sustained investment in knowledgeable, skilled and resilient human capital. Through advanced education and research training, the participating students will be equipped with technical expertise, practical competencies, leadership capabilities and professional networks that can support the future development of Palestinian institutions, communities, infrastructure and essential services.
In his address, Akihiko Tanaka described the agreement as more than a scholarship programme, stressing that it represents an investment in the future of Palestine and in the next generation of engineers, researchers, professionals and leaders who will contribute to rebuilding their society.
He noted that the conflict in Gaza has severely disrupted access to education, with universities and higher education institutions damaged or affected. As Palestine moves towards recovery and reconstruction, the development of skilled human capital will be as critical as rebuilding physical infrastructure.
For Palestinian students whose education has been disrupted by conflict, access to higher education represents not only an academic opportunity, but also a pathway towards renewed hope, broader prospects and an enhanced capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Advancing UTM ASCEND 2030
The initiative reflects UTM’s commitment to translating the aspirations of UTM ASCEND 2030 into meaningful action through education, research, international collaboration and societal impact. Under the Global Talent pillar, the programme strengthens UTM’s role as an inclusive and internationally connected university that attracts, develops and empowers learners from diverse backgrounds. By welcoming Palestinian scholars into its academic community, UTM will provide opportunities for them to acquire advanced technical knowledge while developing global competencies, intercultural understanding, leadership qualities and professional confidence.
The initiative also supports the Leap in Niche Excellence pillar by leveraging UTM’s established strengths in engineering, science, technology and high-impact research. Through MJIIT, the scholars will have opportunities to work with experienced academics, researchers and international collaborators in areas relevant to Palestine’s future recovery. Their research may contribute to practical solutions in fields such as sustainable infrastructure, energy, water, environmental management, advanced technology, disaster resilience and essential public services.
The programme is also closely connected to the Humanity and Well-being pillar, which places people and communities at the centre of knowledge creation and university engagement. By extending educational opportunities to students affected by conflict, UTM demonstrates how universities can use their academic expertise, facilities and international networks to empower individuals, restore hope and support communities facing significant challenges.
The initiative further contributes to the Sustainability pillar by developing human capabilities that can support resilient institutions, responsible infrastructure development and sustainable recovery in Palestine. Rather than focusing solely on immediate assistance, the programme adopts a long-term perspective by investing in individuals who can eventually contribute their expertise to the sustainable development and resilience of their country. Collectively, these contributions reinforce UTM’s aspiration to become a resilient, innovative and socially responsible institution with strong global relevance and meaningful impact on society.
Extending the Malaysia–Japan Partnership to Palestine
The programme also builds upon the longstanding partnership between Malaysia and Japan. MJIIT has served as an important symbol of this relationship by combining Malaysian and Japanese strengths in engineering education, research, academic exchange, industry collaboration and human resource development. JICA, together with Japanese universities and industry partners, has supported MJIIT since its establishment. Over the years, MJIIT has developed into an important hub for Malaysia–Japan collaboration in higher education and engineering.
Through this latest initiative, the spirit of Malaysia–Japan cooperation has been extended beyond the two countries to support the people of Palestine. The partnership demonstrates how established bilateral cooperation can be expanded into a broader platform for international development, humanitarian resilience and capacity building. By combining JICA’s development experience, Japan’s educational and technological strengths, Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Palestine and UTM’s expertise in engineering education and research, the initiative provides a collaborative model for addressing complex global challenges.
Supporting the CEAPAD Commitment
The programme also aligns with Japan’s broader commitment to Palestinian development through the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). Established in 2013, CEAPAD brings together the knowledge, experience and resources of East Asian partners to support human resource development and sustainable development in Palestine. Malaysia has played an active role in this cooperation and recently hosted the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of CEAPAD in Kuala Lumpur together with Japan and Palestine, reaffirming the shared commitment of the three countries to Palestine’s recovery, reconstruction and long-term development.
The scholarship programme at MJIIT represents a concrete outcome of Malaysia and Japan’s joint efforts in support of Palestine. By welcoming Palestinian students to MJIIT, the initiative will provide access to quality higher education while nurturing the technical expertise, leadership capabilities and professional networks needed for Palestine’s future development.
Leadership Conversations on Palestine’s Future
Beyond the agreement signing, the programme featured leadership conversations involving university leaders, development partners, academics and Palestinian student representatives. The discussions explored how higher education, engineering, innovation, leadership and youth participation can contribute to the future recovery and resilience of Palestine. They also highlighted the importance of connecting academic knowledge with the actual needs of communities and ensuring that research undertaken by the scholars remains relevant to Palestine’s development priorities.
The programme further emphasised that Palestinian students should not be viewed solely as scholarship recipients, but as valued members of the academic community, active contributors, emerging professionals and future leaders. During their time at MJIIT, the students will be encouraged to deepen their technical knowledge, undertake relevant and impactful research, develop practical and leadership skills and build lasting professional and personal relationships. Their experience at UTM is expected to provide them with opportunities to engage with Malaysian and Japanese academics, researchers, industries, development organisations and fellow students from different cultural and professional backgrounds. These networks may continue beyond their period of study and serve as valuable platforms for future academic, professional and development cooperation.
Creating Impact Beyond Qualifications
UTM, through MJIIT, reaffirmed its commitment to providing a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment that fosters the academic, professional and personal growth of the participating scholars. The success of the initiative will be measured not only by the number of scholarships awarded or academic qualifications completed, but also by the quality and relevance of the research undertaken, the professional development of the scholars, the networks established and their future contributions to Palestine.
The programme reflects a shared belief that even during periods of immense hardship, international cooperation can create opportunities, restore hope and contribute towards a more resilient future. Through this initiative, Malaysia and Japan reaffirm their commitment to supporting the people of Palestine by investing in one of the most important foundations for long-term recovery: human potential.
For UTM, the collaboration further demonstrates how a university can advance academic excellence while remaining responsive to global challenges and committed to the well-being of humanity. It reflects the broader aspiration of UTM ASCEND 2030 to position UTM as a globally respected university that advances knowledge, nurtures future-ready talent, promotes sustainable development and delivers meaningful impact to society.
By Dr. Farah Liana Mohd Redzuan, lecturer and Manager of External and Global Engagement at MJIIT UTM