PADANG, Sep 18 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has further strengthened its international academic and research network through the Academic and Research Strengthening Programme, Technical Visit and Collaboration to Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) and Universitas Bung Hatta (UBH), held in Padang, Indonesia, from 14 to 18 September 2026.
The five-day programme brought together academic leaders, researchers and civil engineering experts from Malaysia and Indonesia to explore cooperation in education, research, innovation and sustainable infrastructure development, while strengthening institutional relationships and avenues for international collaboration.
A key highlight took place on 15 September when the Malaysian delegation met the Rector of UNP, Dr. Ir. Krismadinata, S.T., M.T., and the Rector of UBH, Prof. Dr. Diana Kartika. The meeting focused on future collaboration involving UTM, UNP, UBH and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), including joint research, academic mobility, postgraduate supervision, joint publications, knowledge exchange and future international academic programmes.
The engagement was attended by members of the UTM Board of Directors and UTM Senate, Prof. Ts. Dr. Abd Latif Saleh; Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA), UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Rosli Hainin; Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Planning, UBH, Dr. Rini Mulyani, S.T., M.Sc. (Eng.); and Head of the UTM delegation, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Azman Mohamed, together with four lecturers from UPNM.
The programme also featured the Civil Engineering International Symposium, hosted by UNP on 15 September, carrying the theme “Civil Engineering for a Net-Zero Future: Sustainability, Technology, and Adaptation.” The symposium brought together nine universities from seven countries, with 24 presenters sharing research findings and perspectives on sustainability, construction technology, infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation.
The symposium was officially inaugurated by Vice Rector 1 of UNP, Prof. Dr. Refnaldi, S.Pd., M.Litt., and attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, UNP, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Anwar, S.Pd., M.T., alongside representatives from UTM, UPNM, UNP and UBH. The engagement highlighted the role of international cooperation in developing practical, research-based solutions for a net-zero future.
On 16 September, the delegation continued its engagement at UBH through an international public lecture featuring speakers from UTM, UNP and UBH, with the Head of the UTM delegation, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Azman Mohamed, as one of the invited speakers. A strategic meeting subsequently explored further cooperation in joint research, staff and student mobility, postgraduate activities, technical collaboration and scholarly publications.
The delegation also visited Masjid Raya Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi and Istano Basa Pagaruyung, gaining insights into the cultural and historical heritage of West Sumatra.
The Padang engagement strengthened UTM’s international academic network through strategic dialogue, research exchange and cultural understanding, while reinforcing opportunities to develop future-ready engineers and collaborative solutions to global challenges.
The article was contributed by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Azman Mohamed, Ir. Dr. Wan Ikram Wajdee Wan Ahmad Kamal and Sr. Ts. Dr. Radzuan Sa’ari from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UTM
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