The visit by guests from the University of Toyama on 27 November 2023 at UTAR Kampar Campus, paved way for discussions on possible collaborations between the University of Toyama and UTAR, as well as UTAR Hospital.

The guests from the University of Toyama consisted of President Prof Dr Shigeru Saito; Director of Toyama University Hospital and Vice President of University of Toyama Prof Dr Atsushi Hayashi; Dean of School of Science Prof Dr Kouhei Matsuda; Vice Dean of School of Medicine Prof Dr Takashi Nakagawa; Advisor to President Prof Dr Jing Zhang; Manager of International Affairs Division Mr Takeru Nishio; and Section Chief of International Affairs Division Mr Akira Yamada.

UTAR representatives who welcomed the guests were President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Hospital Deputy CEO and COO Dr Ang Kong Hui, UTAR Hospital Department of Medical Affairs and Quality Director Dr Tan Kee Seng, Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi, Department of Biological Science Head Dr Nor Ismaliza binti Mohd Ismail, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology academic Assoc Prof Ir Dr Yeap Kim Ho, Division of Community and International Networking Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, and staff.

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “UTAR and the University of Toyama signed its first memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the year 2013, and although time has gone by so quickly, the MoU has made our collaboration stronger each year. I am glad that UTAR is able to collaborate with the University of Toyama. UTAR strongly believes MoU like this is vital for the University to gain a wider span of diverse knowledge. Under the MoU, UTAR and the University of Toyama have successfully promoted academic exchanges including, study tours, student exchange, collaborative research, joint symposia, lectures and exchange of scholars, researchers; and exchange of information in fields which are of interest to both parties.”

He added, “Following the visit today, our objective is that staff and students from both universities and hospitals will have the opportunity to sustain and expand exchange internship programmes in the future. This will not only facilitate mutual learning but also foster deeper cross-border understanding, and enrich their global perspectives. We also envision this visit as an opportunity for UTAR, UTAR Hospital and University of Toyama and its Hospital to understand resource sharing and leverage each other’s strengths, thereby intensifying cooperation and exchanges in the fields of traditional medicine, healthcare, scientific education, and platform development.”

Prof Shigeru Saito also enlightened everyone on their on-going academic collaborations and inter-university cooperation. He also explained their aim to improve the overseas training programme to suit the needs of students. He also expressed that their team is looking forward to collaborating in student exchange programmes, and medical staff and student exchange programmes. Prof Atsushi Hayashi, Prof Kouhei Matsuda and Prof Jing Zhang also elaborated further on University of Toyama’s academic programmes, university life, tuition cost, and scholarships available.

Further discussions on internship placement, research attachment, and international science programme collaboration took place during the campus and hospital tour.