University of Tsukuba, Malaysia (UTMy) officially opened in Kuala Lumpur on 1 September 2024 as the first overseas branch campus of a Japanese university to confer an official Japanese degree. The establishment of UTMy represents a significant milestone in higher education cooperation between Japan and Malaysia. It originated from discussions between the two governments aimed at creating a hub for Japanese-style higher education in Malaysia and strengthening academic exchange within the region.
Located within the campus of the Universiti Malaya, UTMy provides students from Malaysia, Japan, and other countries with access to a Japanese university education in a multicultural and internationally connected environment. Graduates receive a degree awarded by the University of Tsukuba, one of Japan's leading national universities.
UTMy is home to the School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design, which offers the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc). This innovative undergraduate programme is founded on the belief that today's global issues cannot be addressed through a single academic discipline. Students integrate knowledge from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and environmental studies while developing strong competencies in data science and digital literacy.
The programme emphasises Transdisciplinary Learning, Design Thinking, and Problem-Based Learning (PBL), encouraging students to work across disciplinary boundaries and develop practical solutions to real-world issues. Through close interaction with faculty members and engagement with industry and society, students gain the skills needed to address challenges such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, public health, and environmental change.
By combining the strengths of Japanese higher education with Malaysia's diverse international setting, UTMy aims to nurture globally minded leaders capable of contributing to sustainable development and solving complex global issues across Asia and beyond.