Malaysia and Japan Strengthen Collaboration in Higher Education and Clean Energy

Malaysia and Japan are set to deepen their collaboration in higher education and clean energy, as discussed during Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s two-day official visit to Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted plans to enhance ties between the two nations, emphasising their shared goals in education and sustainable energy advancements.

Anwar noted ongoing partnerships between Malaysian universities and Japanese institutions, such as Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) with Waseda University and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with the Japan International Institute of Technology (JIIE). He also announced plans for the establishment of a branch campus of Tsukuba University in Malaysia.

While addressing the collaboration, Anwar called on Japan to include Keio University in future initiatives, describing the institution as significant due to its historical contributions and his prior engagements with it. He expressed hopes for Keio University’s involvement in civilisational dialogues and other academic programs.

Advancing Clean Energy and Regional Energy Connectivity

Both nations aim to finalise a key hydrogen energy collaboration by May, which Anwar described as a vital step toward clean energy innovation. He underscored Sarawak’s leading role in hydrogen energy development through a partnership between Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and PETRONAS. The collaboration, according to Anwar, reflects a commitment to leveraging new technologies for sustainable growth.

He indicated plans to convene discussions on the hydrogen project in either Tokyo or Kuala Lumpur by May, signaling a decisive timeline for the initiative.

On a broader regional scale, Anwar stressed Japan’s critical role in the proposed ASEAN energy grid, a project aimed at connecting Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. He also highlighted Sarawak’s undersea energy cable initiative, designed to link Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, emphasising Japan’s involvement as essential to the project’s success.

These initiatives, he noted, are part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to strengthen energy connectivity in Southeast Asia and foster sustainable development in partnership with Japan.