KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is expanding its green and sustainability initiatives in collaboration with Japan.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, emphasised the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and cross-cultural learning through long-standing partnerships with Japanese institutions.
“The Takasago-UNIMAS Educational Forest project, now in its eighth year, brings together students, faculty, and partners from Japan and Malaysia for tree-planting.
“Through this experiential learning, we aim to support forest landscape restoration and sustainability,” he said during the official visit of Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Shikata Noriyuki, today.
He highlighted UNIMAS’ extensive research collaboration, noting that the university has received 55 Japanese-backed research grants in fields including ecology, hydropower, solar energy, ICT and IoT.
He said funding sources include the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Osaka Gas Foundation, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and other Japanese institutions, with total contributions amounting to millions of ringgit.
“These initiatives, from student exchanges and leadership programmes to joint research and cultural immersion, continue to build trust and strengthen ties with partners in Japan and beyond,” he said.
Ahmad Hata also pointed to UNIMAS’ participation in outbound programmes such as the JENESYS2025 Malaysia-Japan Academic Exchange, and inbound exchanges including visits by students from Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai Junior and Senior High School, part of a 26-year collaboration with the Osaka Gas Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.
On the academic front, UNIMAS strengthened ties with Wakayama University, Kurume University, Meiji University, Chuo University and Kyoto Prefectural University during Expo 2025 in Osaka.
He highlighted that the university has also been shortlisted for two Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Awards 2026: International Strategy of the Year, for promoting global mobility, peace, and sustainability; and Research Project of the Year (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences), for community-based participatory research on sustainable tourism at Kampung Peros.
“This recognition reflects UNIMAS’s continued commitment to global impact, local sustainability and academic excellence,” he said.
Ahmad Hata concluded by expressing gratitude for Shikata’s visit, noting it marks the beginning of even deeper engagements between UNIMAS and Japan and reaffirming the university’s aim to elevate collaboration in education, research and sustainability.
