On 8 August 2023, the Malaysia Alumni Gathering was held at the UTM Kuala Lumpur campus, where the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia-Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (UTM-MJIIT) is located. The Malaysian Chapter of the Yamaguchi University Overseas Alumni Association was established in 2016, and this was the second time it has been held since its establishment. The alumni and guests of honor included Yoshitaka Inagaki, Deputy Director of the JICA Malaysia Office, Isrami Bin Ismail, President of the Association of Former International Students for Eastern Policy (ALEPS), Isamu Hamada, MJIIT Project Chief Advisor and two other MJIIT officials, as well as members of the University’s faculty and staff, making a total of approximately 30 people in attendance.

  At the beginning of the meeting, Yukio Tanizawa, President of Yamaguchi University (YU), gave an online opening address, introducing recent developments at the university and requesting cooperation from alumni for the development of the university. Professor Naoki Oshima of the Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management, who is actively engaged in educational and research exchanges with Malaysia, introduced the initiatives of his department, while Associate Professor Tsuyoshi Koga of the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation gave a presentation on the “Innovative Design Program”, a short-term training program between the university’s engineering students and MJIIT. Alumni activities were then presented by Fawzi Bin Ahmad, President of the Alumni Association, and Dr. NURHAYATI BINTI MD ISSA, who is engaged in research as a post-doctoral fellow in Koga’s lab, who spoke about their memories of their time at the YU and their current activities. A panel discussion followed, moderated by Ikufumi Tomimoto, Senior Advisor to the Vice President for International Affairs of YU, with each speaker and Mr. Isrami as panelists, exchanging views on the theme “How can we attract international students to YU.” Participants in the audience also made suggestions for the establishment of online courses, which are increasingly being introduced at overseas universities, and this was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from each alumnus about their views on the future development of the University.

  At the end of the meeting, there was time for socializing and chatting with old friends and relations, making this gathering a great success.

  The University has selected Malaysia as a priority base country from the year 2022 and is promoting exchange with the country. We hope that this alumni gathering will be a catalyst for attracting students from the country.