​Memorandum of Understanding Between Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Meiji University, Japan (23 Sep 2010)

23 September, Kuala Lumpur :  The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Meiji University, Japan today marked another important milestone for UTP in its quest to attain academic and R&D excellence. The MoU was signed at the PETRONAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. UTP was represented by Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Hj Kasim, Rector of UTP while Meiji University by its President Mr Hiromi Naya.  The signing ceremony was witnessed by PETRONAS’ Vice President of Human Resource Management, Puan Juniwati Rahmat Hussin.

The formalisation of alliance between these two leading institutions of higher learning has paved the way for further meaningful collaboration between them which amongst others extends to the following initiatives:

• Mutual exchange of academic staff and/or researchers
• Mutual exchange of students
• Facilitation of the mutual acceptance of academic staff and/of researchers who are preparing for their doctoral dissertations;
• Collaborative research and publication of research outcomes by academic staff and researchers;
• Exchange of academic publication materials, reference data, academic information or other literature;
• Facilitation of the mutual exchange of administrative and secretarial personnel attached to the academic departments, research laboratories and centers, libraries, and other departments of each institution.

Meiji University was founded in January 1881 as the Meiji Law School by a group of young lawyers barely in their 30's: Tatsuo Kishimoto, Kozo Miyagi, and Misao Yashiro. It was an era characterised by Japan's urgent need to develop as a modern independent nation. The three founded the Meiji Law School in their fervent hope to "foster bright capable youths who would lead a modern civil society in Japan".

Although confronted with countless obstacles and hardships along the way, Meiji University was born as a site for learning and education. Continuing its growth without ever ceasing to ring the chimes of liberty, Meiji University has expanded as one of the distinguished private universities of Japan.  Having sent out more than 400,000 graduates into the world to date, it has contributed vastly to the progress of society. In 2011, the University will be celebrating its 130th anniversary.

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) was established in 1997 and offers a wide range of engineering and technology programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, complemented by a strong focus on Research and Development (R&D). The programmes are designed with high industry relevance.  It has grown to be one of the most prominent private universities in Malaysia and currently has about 5,600 undergraduates and 900 postgraduates.  Recently, UTP along with 17 other universities has been rated as Tier 5 (Excellent) University for year 2009 Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA ’09) by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia.

In addition to its engineering and technology based programmes, UTP also provides quality education in the areas of management and the humanities, with the aim of producing graduates who are well rounded exhibiting excellent leadership qualities and communication abilities.

Research at UTP is focused on CO2 Management, Deepwater Technology, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Energy, Green Technologies, Health, Megacity, Nanotechnology and Sustainable Sciences and is carried out in collaboration with PETRONAS and other institutions and industries locally and abroad.

Also present at the ceremony were Mr. Osamu Ono, Deputy Director, International Student Center, Meiji University, Mr. Yoshiaki Ozawa, Manager, Research Promotion and Intellectual Properties Office, Meiji University, Mr. Makoto Tatewaki, Officer, International Collaboration Office, Meiji University, En Zamani Ahmad, CEO Mitco Japan and senior officials from PETRONAS and UTP.