FIST UMPSA Explores Strategic Academic and Research Collaboration with Tohoku University, Japan

5 November 2026 | UMPSA Paya Besar

The Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FIST), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), through its Chemicals for Advanced Technology (ChemAT) Research Cluster, hosted an academic and research visit by Prof. Dr. Ryota Sakamoto from Tohoku University, Japan, on 4 and 5 November 2026.

Prof. Dr. Sakamoto, Head of the Coordination Chemistry Laboratory at Tohoku University, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Frameworks Offer All-in-One Cocatalysts for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting” at the Library Auditorium on 4 November 2026.

The lecture highlighted developments in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), particularly two-dimensional MOFs (2D-MOFs), and their potential applications in photocatalysis and renewable energy technologies.

On 5 November, Prof. Dr. Sakamoto visited the FIST Research Laboratories and Central Laboratory, followed by a strategic discussion chaired by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Nurjannah binti Salim, Head of Department, together with research cluster heads and faculty researchers.

The discussion explored potential areas of collaboration, including visiting professorships, joint international research grants, shared research facilities, student and staff mobility, joint PhD supervision and dual-degree programmes.

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen academic engagement and explore future research partnerships between UMPSA and Tohoku University, supporting FIST's efforts to expand its international academic and research networks.