On 19 March 2019, a symposium, launching ceremony and general assembly of JSPS Alumni Association Malaysia was held at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang.

This meeting was held in order to make a final decision to establish a new JSPS alumni association in Malaysia, and also to elect the first executive committee members of the association.

In the morning session, Prof. Yamashita delivered an opening remarks and introduced the summary of JSPS and its various research funding initiatives. Afterwards, the following four speakers, who have involved in some JSPS programs, shared their research experiences between Japan and Malaysia.

1. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nor Aieni Haji Mokhtar (Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu)

2. Dr. Toshihiko Fujita (Division Head, National Museum of Nature and Science)

3. Prof. Datuk Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Bin Ismail (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)

4. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai (Director, Centre for Marine & Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

In the afternoon session, after Prof. Yamashita explained the JSPS’s support for the alumni association, Prof. Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail (Vice-Chancellor of USM) declared the establishment of JSPS Alumni Association Malaysia.

Finally, the alumni’s general assembly was held attended by approximately 40 researchers and the executive committee members were elected. Prof. Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail was chosen unanimously as the first president of JSPS Alumni Association Malaysia. As soon as getting the approval of JSPS headquarters, this alumni association will officially start its activities.