JOHOR BAHRU, 14 August 2026 – The Faculty of Science (FS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), welcomed an academic delegation from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (ZSTU), China, for a two-day academic visit on 13–14 August 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen international cooperation in academic and research activities while exploring opportunities for student and staff mobility, collaborative research and innovation commercialisation.
The ZSTU delegation comprised Prof. Dr. Yaofeng Zhu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chen Qian. Their visit provided an important platform for both institutions to exchange ideas on research collaboration, joint project supervision, international research grants, laboratory management and technology transfer.
On the first day, the delegation participated in an official discussion with the Faculty of Science management. The session involved the Dean of the Faculty of Science, the Deputy Dean (Academic and Student Affairs) and the Head of the Department of Chemistry. Discussions focused on potential academic collaboration, joint supervision, student and staff exchange programmes and opportunities to pursue international research funding.
The visitors were subsequently taken on a tour of teaching and research laboratories located at Blocks C08, C10, C18, C19 and T02, allowing them to gain first-hand insight into the Faculty’s research infrastructure and laboratory capabilities. The programme also included a visit to the University Laboratory Management Centre (PPMU), Block T03, where the delegation was introduced to UTM’s advanced analytical and high-end instrumentation facilities supporting multidisciplinary research.
The second day featured the Faculty of Science Science Seminar Series, providing an avenue for knowledge exchange and research engagement. Prof. Dr. Yaofeng Zhu introduced Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and its academic and research strengths, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chen Qian delivered a scientific presentation highlighting research innovation and its potential applications. The seminar attracted participation from lecturers, researchers and postgraduate students from the Faculty of Science.
The academic visit concluded with a visit to the Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ICC UTM). During the session, the delegation was introduced to UTM’s innovation ecosystem, including intellectual property management, technology transfer from laboratory research to the marketplace, and institutional support for university spin-off companies.
Photographs documented in the programme report also highlighted several key activities, including discussions with Faculty of Science administrators, laboratory visits within the Department of Chemistry, a visit to PPMU, and engagement with ICC UTM.
The visit demonstrated the strong potential for deeper collaboration between UTM and ZSTU. The discussions and research exchanges established a foundation for future initiatives involving collaborative research projects, graduate student and researcher mobility, joint academic activities and possible formal institutional cooperation.
Moving forward, both institutions are expected to explore concrete follow-up initiatives, including potential collaborative research projects, mobility programmes and formal cooperation arrangements. Such initiatives will further strengthen the international research network of the Faculty of Science while supporting UTM’s aspiration to advance impactful research, innovation and global academic partnerships.
