Fourth Alumni Event in Malaysia Enabled Participants to Discuss Ways to Build a Circular Economy

The fourth alumni event of November 23, 2024, by Malaysia Alumni of Sakura Science Association (MASSA) and JST was able to receive 100 plus participants at Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The presence of H.E. SHIKATA Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia at the venue was such a great honor for all the organizers and participants. The event theme this year was “Circular Economy as a Climate Solution: Collaborative Initiatives from Government, Industry, and Academia to Empower Communities for Sustainable Development in Malaysia.”

Firstly, Ambassador SHIKATA who had recently arrived in Malaysia (in November 2024), touched upon the bright outlook of future Malaysia-Japan relation, stating how SSP (Sakura Science Program) is one of important programs that focus on human resource development through people to people exchange. He also wished how these events can continuously serve as a platform to build strong networks for all alumni’s future career progression.

Secondly, Dr. Zamzam bin Mohd Walid, Director of the Curriculum Department from the Ministry of Higher Education enlightened the audience of Malaysia’s collective commitment in attaining a green society. Particularly, polytechnics and community colleges offer courses in resource-efficient manufacturing/energy systems, encourage green entrepreneurship/internships to students through industry mentors, and engage with the community through eco-farming. Institutions that show exceptional commitment to sustainability initiatives are acknowledged with the Malaysian Polytechnic and College Community Sustainability Award.

Thirdly Mr. FURUYA Keiji, member of Japan’s House of Representatives and President of Japan-Malaysia Parliament Friendship Association also sent a congratulatory message stating that “everyone who participated in today's meeting can serve as a bridge between Japan and Malaysia.”

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MASSA Coordinators

<Information Session>
To encourage an academic path in Japan, Ms. OSAWA Noriko, Director of JASSO Japan Education Information Centre in Kuala Lumpur, explained basic steps in pursuing higher education in Japan after secondary education in Malaysia. She also pointed out the high employability of international students after their graduation in Japan. It allows smooth transition from student visas to work visa.

In view of research, Dr. SHAN Gu of Sakura Science Program Headquarters introduced JST’s latest exchange initiative for ASEAN countries: NEXUS Y-tec (Young Talents Exchange and Capacity Development Program). It is a new long-term invitational program exclusive for ASEAN countries, up to one year.

<The Sharing Session>
In the sharing session by SSP alumni, UKM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Saiful Dzulkefly Zan, who participated in SSP hosted by TUAT (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology) during 2023, introduced university-led exchange initiatives at UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia). The ongoing research between UKM and TUAT eventually expanded to include Saitama University and led to an Invitational Research Fellowship by JSPS. He emphasized that “joint-education,” is as important as joint-research. Findings from such joint efforts consisting of two-way mobility of students/researchers between Malaysia to Japan, in the end, may influence government policies in sustainability.

<The Focus Group Discussion>
This time, the alumni event specifically featured a FGD (focus group discussion) session at the venue. It was moderated by Prof. Dr. Latifah Abd Manaf. Each MASSA coordinator acted as facilitator for each table to discuss the challenges of SDGs and how social media or government-industry-academia collaboration can tackle such challenges.

Opinions of each group were shared through Padlet. Some of unique viewpoints raised by the focus groups were:

• ●Industry and governments can offer incentives such as subsidies for renewable energy adoption or recognition program
• ●One example of best practice is the Malaysian women tourist guides who conduct both diving and rubbish-picking. ESG (Environmental Social Governance) is as important as SDGs.
• ●Governments, industries and academia can jointly run social media campaigns that educate, inspire and mobilize communities.

The FGD served as a window to get to know each other and eventually led to a very lively networking session. Overall, everyone enjoyed the day and some survey respondents replied that the FGD and networking could be longer. The event closed with a promise to meet up again in 2025.