JOHOR BARU: Japan’s Kumamoto University is keen to collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) on water resource management, water treatment technology and setting up a halal food hub, as well as a student exchange programme.
After a meeting with representatives from UTM, Kumamato university's vice president Taizo Matsumoto told a press conference here that they hope to develop a co-branding of halal products with UTM, which is known for its halal research facilities.
"Japan is not a Muslim country, but the halal market in Japan is a multi-billion dollar industry," Matsumoto said.
Kumamoto University is one of the top 10 most innovative universities in Japan, and among the top 40 in Asia.
Along with Matsumoto, delegates from Kumamoto University will be visiting Johor government offices, the Johor Water Regulation Body (BAKAJ), Iskandar Malaysia Chamber and Industry, J-Biotech and the Johor Halal Park during their visit here, which ends on Friday.
The delegation includes the vice-governor of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government, Taisuke Ono, representatives from the Kumamoto City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau, the National University Corporation Kumamoto University, Kumamoto Central Meat Co. Ltd, and the Hugo Bank Ltd Regional Development Division.