OKAYAMA, 18 July 2025 — The Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dato’ Professor Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, made an official visit to Okayama University as part of his working trip to Japan in conjunction with the upcoming Osaka Expo 2025. The visit reflects UPM’s continued efforts to strengthen its global presence and drive the university’s internationalisation agenda.

Accompanying the Vice Chancellor were Professor Dr. Alyani Ismail, Director of the PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA), and Ms. Shahriah Membar, Deputy Director (Management) of i-PUTRA. As UPM’s dedicated arm for global affairs, i-PUTRA played a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating the visit, underscoring its commitment to expanding strategic international networks. The UPM delegation received a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. Yuki Ichinose, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Ms. Megumi Tamura, Director of the International Affairs Division at Okayama University.

During the visit, the Vice Chancellor delivered an inspiring lecture entitled “UPM True North Strategic Approach for Global Prominence,” which outlined UPM’s ambitious roadmap to becoming a globally recognised university. The presentation highlighted the university’s notable achievements in international rankings, global partnerships, student mobility, and academic excellence. Central to the discussion was UPM’s visionary “True North” framework, which prioritises sustainability, global impact, and educational innovation within the international higher education landscape. This engagement is part of a broader international outreach initiative led by i-PUTRA, whose leadership has played a key role in shaping UPM’s narrative of internationalisation. i-PUTRA continues to act as a vital link between UPM and global institutions, enabling impactful exchanges and fostering international collaborations.

Following the lecture, a fruitful dialogue ensued, focusing on future collaborations between UPM and Okayama University. There was overt enthusiasm for advancing student mobility programmes, joint research initiatives, and institutional linkages, particularly in the vital fields of agriculture, food security, and biotechnology.

A highlight of the visit was an engaging session at Daiken Corporation, a leading Japanese firm recognised for its pioneering work in sustainable building materials and environmental technologies. Discussions centred on potential academic-industry partnerships under the RDICE (Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation, and Entrepreneurship) framework, aiming to leverage the strengths of both institutions.

This collaboration aims to advance applied research, promote sustainable product development, and nurture student talent through internships and technology transfer. UPM’s emphasis on RDICE aligns seamlessly with Malaysia’s national agenda for innovation-driven growth, further establishing universities as active contributors to economic and societal progress.

This strategic visit not only reinforces UPM’s commitment to internationalisation but also highlights its progressive approach to forging impactful global partnerships and nurturing cross-border collaborations in education, research, and industry engagement. i-PUTRA’s active involvement in the visit showcases its essential role in advancing UPM’s global strategies and fostering meaningful partnerships abroad.

Date of Input: 22/07/2025 | Updated: 22/07/2025 | nurulshabila