Prof. Masayuki Ikeda, Executive Vice President of University of Toyama, paid a visit to Malaysian institutions of higher education and research.

The delegation from the University of Toyama (hereafter referred to as ¡°the delegation¡±) visited Malaysia from February 17 to 20 to finalize academic exchange agreements, promote researcher and student exchanges, and strengthen international collaborative research.
The delegation visited the following universities according to the schedule below.
Sunway University (February 17)
Taylor¡¯s University (February 18)
Sunway Medical Centre (February 18)
International Medical University (February 19)
Monash University Malaysia (February 19)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (February 20)

?Distinguished Research Professor Ishwar Singh Pahar (hereafter referred to as ¡°Prof. Ishwar¡±) from the Center Initiative for Training International Researchers (CITIR), at the University of Toyama (UT) worked closely with his counterparts to ensure the success of these visits. He coordinated efforts by analyzing UT¡¯s research strengths and aligning them with its globalization strategy.
Our delegation members are as follows.

1. Professor Masayuki Ikeda, Executive Vice President.
2. Distinguished Research Professor Ishwar Singh Parhar, Chief Director of Center Initiative for Training International Researcher (CITIR)
3. Professor Naoya Wada, Director of Global Research Centre for Advanced Sustainability Science
4. Professor Norio Horie, Global Research Centre for Advanced Sustainability Science
5. Professor Geetha Mohan, Global Research Centre for Advanced Sustainability Science
6. Professor Takashi Nakagawa, Vice Dean of School of Medicine
7. Ms. Yumiko Kato, University Research Assistant
8. Ms. Hiromi Tsuri, Deputy Manager of International Affairs Division
9. Mr. Akira Yamada, Section Chief of International Affairs Division
10. Mr. Yutaro Nishida, Administrative Staff of International Affairs Division

?On February 17, the delegation visited Sunway University to participate in an international seminar on the common theme of sustainability and planetary health, a key research focus of Sunway University. The visit also included signing an inter-university academic exchange agreement and discussions on overseas training of medical and nursing students. ?

Sunway University, a private university established in 2011, has strong potential for international collaborative research with UT in the sustainability science and serves as an overseas training site for medical and nursing students.

Sunway University introduced the Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development, the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, the Sunway Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network at the international seminar.
From the delegation, Prof. Naoya Wada, Director of the Global Research Centre for Sustainability (GRASS), Prof. Norio Horie, and Prof. Geeta Mohan gave a presentation on the overview of GRASS and its resources. This was followed by discussions on future research exchange and international collaborative research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The courtesy visit to the President of Sunway University included the president¡¯s welcome address and university introduction. Following this, Prof. Masayuki Ikeda, Executive Vice President (hereafter referred to as ¡°Prof. Ikeda¡±), delivered a speech and a video presentation to introduce UT.

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The signing of the Inter-University Academic Exchange Agreement between UT and Sunway University took place in a cordial and harmonious atmosphere. Following this signing, Prof. Ikeda presented an Acrylic Memorial Plaque to Sunway University.

Finally, the delegation visited the School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, where the dean introduced the laboratories and other facilities.

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On February 18, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Taylor¡¯s University to formalize an inter-departmental academic exchange agreement between CITIR and Taylor¡¯s University School of Medicine, to appoint a ¡°University Toyama Liaison Professor,¡± and to make an opinion exchange on future academic collaboration.?

Taylor¡¯s University, founded in 1969, is a private university in the Sunway area near Kuala Lumpur, with its campus surrounding an artificial lake. Prof. Ishwar organized this visit to promote researcher and student exchanges and international collaborative research.

The courtesy visit to the President of Taylor¡¯s University began with a welcome address from the president and an introduction of the university. This was followed by Prof. Ikeda¡¯s speech and the introduction of UT through a video presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Inter-Faculty Academic Exchange Agreement between CITIR and School of Medicine, Taylor¡¯s University was concluded in a cordial, harmonious atmosphere. While exchanging commemorative gifts, Prof. Ikeda presented an Acrylic Memorial Plaque to Taylor¡¯s University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Ikeda then presented Prof. Wong Eng Hwa from the School of Medicine at Taylor¡¯s University with a letter of appointment as a ¡°University of Toyama Liaison Professor.¡± Prof. Ishwar recommended her for this role to promote the internationalization of UT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a tour of the laboratories, the delegation attended presentations on science and medicine, followed by a discussion on research collaboration and student exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The delegation visited Sunway Medical Centre, a private hospital operated by the Sunway Foundation. Located next to Sunway University, the hospital is widely used by many people, including local Japanese residents.
The delegation also visited Sunway Sanctuary, which provides high-end medical care services. After the tour, discussions were held, focusing primarily on student and researcher exchanges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 19, the delegation visited to International Medical University (IMU), a private medical university established in 1992. Prof. Ishwar, in collaborating with Prof. Takashi Nakagawa, Vice Dean, School of Medicine, arranged this visit to establish an overseas training site for medical and nursing students.
The visit to IMU began with a welcome and introduction by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, IMU. Prof. Ikeda delivered a speech and introduced UT through a video presentation.
Following these events, discussions were held on international collaborative research, student exchange, and other related topics. In particular, there was a lively exchange of ideas on training programs for medical and nursing students. The delegation then toured the laboratory and other university facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The delegation visited Monash University Malaysia, a private university established in 1998. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, has long been engaged in academic exchanges of students and researchers with the School of Science and School of Medicine at UT. ?
Prof. Ishwar, former Director of Brain Research Institute at Monash University Malaysia, organized this visit to discuss the promotion of the study abroad program. The visit was coordinated by Prof. Ishwar and Associate Professor Tomoko Soga from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Monash University Malaysia, who also serves as a University of Toyama Liaison Professor. During the discussion, UT and Monash University Malaysia explored ways to further enhance student exchanges, including overseas training for science and medical students, organizing joint seminars, and sharing information for international collaborative research.?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 20, the delegation visited Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), a national university founded in 1997 and Malaysia¡¯s first teacher training institute. Prof. Ishwar organized this visit to UPSI, focusing on internationalization, including recruiting international students to UT.
The visit to UPSI began with a welcome and introduction by the Dean of the Faculty of Human Development, followed by a speech from Prof. Ikeda, who introduced UT through a video presentation. Prof. Ikeda¡¯s speech was then followed by discussions on student and researcher exchanges, international collaborative research, and the organizing of seminars and other activities.
After these events, the delegation toured the international student housing, hotel, and sports facilities on the UPSI campus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UT¡¯s globalization efforts are expected to be further enhanced through collaboration between CITIR and all Schools of UT.