Global Learning in Action: UTM Students Gain Research Exposure in Shenzhen

Engineering Excellence Meets Global Sustainability: UTM Students Join PKUSZ Labs

The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is an eminent institution that offers unparalleled education in engineering, science, and technology, having been set up as a technical school in 1904. The university devotes itself perpetually to the contribution of the professional and technical workforce of the nation while being committed to developing innovations, entrepreneurship, and global academic collaboration. With its vision to become an Entrepreneurial Research University with global stature, it has prioritised a focus on postgraduate research, partnering with industry, and a strong incorporation of interdisciplinary knowledge development. In addition, the New Academia model of UTM embraces opening up disciplines for dynamic engagement, aiming to mainstream higher education with socio-economic impact.

Recent reports underscore that UTM had a strategic collaboration with Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ), through UTM’s International Industrial Training Program (IITP). Under this partnership, five third-year international students from UTM’s Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering were said to have undertaken a ten-week research placement at PKUSZ and engaged themselves in high-impact research projects aligned with global priorities in energy and sustainability.

The institutional sources confirmed that the students were hosted by PKUSZ’s Environment and Energy, which is internationally recognised for its contribution to renewable energy engineering and environmental research. PKUSZ occupies a location in Shenzhen City, just in China's innovation economy epicentre, often classified as 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, justifying its status as a global university of distinction.

Each student was reportedly assigned to a specialised research project under the supervision of senior academics. Muhamad Afiq Danial Mohd Saffimi was understood to have collaborated with Professor Qiyong Xu on optimising biochar derived from water hyacinth for supercapacitor applications, while Kong Qing Long worked under Professor Hao Dong Ji on photocatalytic CO₂ reduction using metal-doped semiconductor catalysts. Jasmine Lee, guided by Professor Nan Xu, focused on improving bisphenol A removal through molybdenum-doped iron sulfide catalysts, an effort aimed at advancing water purification technologies.

In parallel, Onn Shen Che Nyan was said to have contributed to the genetic enhancement of cyanobacteria strains under Professor Maurycy Daroch, with implications for biofuel production and carbon capture. Under Professor Peng Zhou's supervision, Nicole Goh Yong Xin explored platinum-based photocatalysts for alkane-to-alkene conversion, deepening her understanding of catalytic mechanisms within chemical engineering. Beyond laboratory work, the students were believed to have embraced the broader dimensions of student life, participating in cultural exchanges and weekend excursions around Shenzhen. Institutional representatives noted that UTM financed travel and living expenses, while PKUSZ waived tuition fees and provided accommodation for the students,an access-, equity-, and mutual-benefit-oriented model.

UTM maintains that IITP exemplifies its mission to create globally competent engineers able to work across both scientific inquiry and intercultural collaboration. Conversely, PKUSZ was seen to reaffirm its commitment to international academic exchange. One student reportedly stated that the experience had shown how research could be converted into real solutions for the communities all over the world. To sum up, in their view, the IITP placements are optimally positioned at the convergence of research, education, and global engagement in the changing world of contemporary university rankings.

Editor’s Note:

The recent collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ) under the International Industrial Training Program (IITP) deserves more than passing recognition; it reflects a deliberate and commendable shift in how engineering universities equip their students for the realities of global sustainability challenges. Nowadays, institutional prestige alone is no longer sufficient; relevance, reach, and readiness now define academic excellence. UTM, usually heralded as Malaysia's flagship institution in engineering, science, and technology, once again proved strategic foresight. With eyes on postgraduate research and interdisciplinary development under the auspices of the New Academia model, UTM's vision is not just in art; it is in active engagement. The IITP initiative was a real investment in energy and sustainability as both academic and societal imperatives, when five third-year international students from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering were immersed in high-impact research environments at PKUSZ. But there was more than just laboratory access to the host institution, PKUSZ, ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2026- it offered intellectual immersion into one of China’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. The School of Environment and Energy, renowned internationally in renewable energy engineering and environmental research, was well-suited for specialised research projects of the students, from biochar optimisation and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to advanced water purification and cyanobacterial biofuel development.
Of note is not only the rigour of these projects in technical terms but also the institutional model that gave rise to them. The funding from UTM and the waiver of accommodation and tuition fees by PKUSZ exemplify a partnership based on equity and mutual benefits. This cannot be taken for mere tokenism; it is a joint effort built around clearly defined academic and developmental benefits. The IITP placements at UTM are not peripheral; they sit firmly in the centre of the university's mission to produce graduates that can navigate complexity, collaborate across borders, and contribute meaningfully to our world's most pressing issues.

According to Skoobuzz, this is a model worth duplicating; convergence of research, education, and global engagement that redefine the very meaning of being an international engineering university.

FAQs

1. What is renewable energy engineering? 
Renewable energy engineering is a specialised branch of engineering that focuses on the development and optimisation of technologies that generate energy from sustainable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. It involves designing systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency, and support global efforts to mitigate climate change. The discipline integrates principles from chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering to create practical solutions for clean energy production.

2. How do international students study in China? 
International students typically begin by applying to accredited Chinese universities offering programmes in English or bilingual formats. Upon acceptance, they secure a student visa—usually an X1 for long-term study or X2 for short-term placements. Required documentation includes admission letters, financial proof, health certificates, and visa application forms. Once enrolled, students are supported through orientation programmes, on-campus accommodation, and cultural integration activities. While English is widely used in academic settings, basic Mandarin is often encouraged for everyday communication.

3. Why choose an engineering university in Shenzhen? 
Shenzhen is considered one of China’s most dynamic innovation hubs, making it an ideal location for engineering education. The city hosts leading technology firms and research institutes, offering students direct exposure to industrial applications and cutting-edge developments. Engineering universities in Shenzhen benefit from strong government investment, international faculty, and advanced research infrastructure. Its proximity to Hong Kong and its youthful, entrepreneurial environment further enhance its appeal to globally minded students seeking practical and interdisciplinary learning.

4. How can universities join global university ranking projects? 
To participate in global university rankings such as QS or THE, institutions must meet specific criteria, including offering comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, graduating multiple cohorts, and maintaining robust research output. Universities are required to submit detailed data on faculty qualifications, student-to-staff ratios, internationalisation, citations, and graduate employability. A designated institutional contact typically manages the submission process. Participation is based on data transparency and academic performance rather than financial contribution.

5. What types of research projects do engineering students undertake? 
Engineering students engage in a wide range of research projects that address real-world challenges across sustainability, innovation, and public impact. These may include renewable energy systems, water purification technologies, carbon capture methods, smart infrastructure, and advanced materials development. Projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experimentation, equipping students with both technical expertise and problem-solving skills relevant to industry and society.