Zhang Rong and Noor Azuan Abu Osman jointly unveil the China–Malaysia International Institute for Advanced Study. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]
The China–Malaysia International Institute for Advanced Study was inaugurated at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) on Nov 6.
Yao Wen, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, described the institute as a significant milestone in translating the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders into action. He expressed hope that it would advance scientific and technological cooperation, promote two-way academic exchanges between the two countries, and serve as a model for multilateral collaboration in education and research.
Zhang Rong, chairman of the University Council at Xiamen University (XMU) and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the university would mobilize resources across the institution and work with Malaysian partners to establish the institute as a model for educational, scientific, and technological cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Dato' Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya (UM), said the two universities would transcend geographical and institutional boundaries to make it a center for intellectual exchange, scientific advancement, and translating innovation into real-world applications.
Zhang and Noor Azuan Abu Osman jointly unveiled the institute. XMU and XMUM also signed five cooperation agreements and letters of intent with Malaysian institutions and companies covering joint research and technology cooperation in advanced energy storage, green energy, and digital technologies.
A joint statement issued by the governments of China and Malaysia in April 2025 explicitly supported the institute as a platform for scientific research cooperation. Jointly established by XMU and UM and based at XMUM, the institute hosts seven joint research centers covering artificial intelligence, green energy, and biomedicine. It aims to strengthen China–Malaysia innovation cooperation and expand collaboration across ASEAN.
