by Yeoh Li Cheng

BATU PAHAT, 23 June 2026. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with VIVES University of Applied Sciences of Belgium. It is UTHM’s first partnership with a Belgian higher education institution.

The two universities first made contact at the European Association for International Education (EAIE) conference, and the partnership was coordinated by UTHM’s International Office through Mrs. Yeoh Li Cheng, Head of the International Mobility and Student Experience Department (IMSE). The Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (FKEE) and the Sustainable Campus Office (SCO) host the incoming student, who are placed according to his interests and field of study.

The MoU was exchanged at a ceremony officiated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr. Afandi bin Ahmad, who welcomed VIVES International Coordinator for Technology, Mr. Evert Cottyn, to UTHM.

Under the agreement, both institutions plan to expand cooperation in student and staff mobility, internships, joint research, and industry engagement. The shared areas of interest include drone technology and UAV applications, aviation, food technology, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, and innovation, entrepreneurship and technology management.

The partnership is already active. A VIVES student, Robbe Ryckeboer, is currently on exchange and internship at UTHM, based at FKEE and the Sustainable Campus Office under the supervision of Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Fairouz bin Mohd Yousof. During the visit, Mr. Cottyn met the FKEE management and robotics team, hosted by the Dean, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Asmarashid bin Ponniran, and toured the faculty’s research facilities, including the EV Research Centre, the Innovation Lab, ARMTech Innovation Sdn. Bhd. and InnoCube.

“This partnership reflects UTHM’s commitment to building meaningful international links that benefit our students and staff. We look forward to growing it well beyond where it stands today,” said the Director of the International Office, Professor Dr. Muhammad Ramlee bin Kamarudin.

The agreement is expected to lead to wider cooperation between UTHM and European institutions, with VIVES as the university’s first link to Belgium.