Unimas secures over RM1.22 mln in Japanese research grants

KUCHING (Jan 30): Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has received research grants worth over RM1.22 million from various Japanese institutions to support several research projects across diverse fields.

Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said the projects cover areas such as ecology, hydropower plants, hydrophobic studies, solar energy, information and communication technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), and other disciplines.

Providing a breakdown, he said the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia contributed RM168,200, followed by the Osaka Gas Foundation for Cultural Exchange with RM420,000, the Telecommunication Technology Committee with RM354,435, the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Japan with RM120,000, the Japan-Malaysia Association with RM100,250, the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation with RM40,575, the Kurita Water and Environment Foundation RM12,425, and the Japan-Asean Science, Technology and Innovation Platform with RM11,145.

“In addition, since 1996, Osaka Gas has contributed US$2,200 to support 12 Unimas students for exchange programmes, provided scholarships amounting to US$648,583, and awarded US$84,643 in training grants.

“Unimas has also received a soft loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) amounting to RM750 million,” he said during a dialogue session with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata, at The Gallery of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Hall (DeTAR Putra), Unimas, in Kota Samarahan.

Through initiatives ranging from student exchanges and leadership programmes to research collaboration and cultural immersion, Ahmad said Unimas continues to build trust and strengthen ties with partners in Japan, the wider Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Over the years, he added, Unimas has developed long-standing relationships with strategic partners in Japan that share a commitment to education, innovation and cultural exchange.

Last year, Unimas further strengthened academic ties with five leading Japanese institutions — Wakayama University, Kurume University, Meiji University, Chuo University and Kyoto Prefectural University — during Expo 2025 in Osaka.

“In line with our ongoing efforts to deepen partnerships with Japan, Unimas has also participated in outbound academic exchange programmes.

“Through the JENESYS2025 Malaysia-Japan Academic Exchange Programme, Unimas representatives joined Malaysian delegates in Tokyo and Tsukuba for academic visits, laboratory tours and cultural immersion activities that deepened mutual understanding and built networks for future collaboration,” he said.

On a forest project launched in 2018, Ahmad said it brings together students, faculty members and partners from Japan and Malaysia for tree-planting activities and experiential learning in support of forest landscape restoration and sustainability.

He added that Unimas has also hosted cultural exchange visits involving students from Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai Junior and Senior High School, providing opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural engagement between young people from both nations.

“A proud moment to share with His Excellency is that Unimas has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Awards 2026, often dubbed the Oscars of higher education, from over 500 entries across Asia,” he said.