Malaysia–China strengthen research collaboration with RM10.47 million funding for eight projects
PUTRAJAYA: Eight Malaysian research projects worth RM10.47 million have been approved under the Malaysia–China Strategic Research Fund (SRF) 2025, marking another milestone in bilateral science, technology, innovation (STI) collaboration, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
The recipients are Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (two projects), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah and Multimedia University.
Speaking at the SRF 2025 award ceremony today, Chang said the initiative marks another significant milestone in Malaysia’s long-standing scientific partnership with China.
“This event goes beyond a symbolic handover of funds; it stands as a testament to Mosti’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s ecosystem of research, innovation and international collaboration,” he said.
Chang said Malaysia’s collaboration with China in STI has been developed over many years and was further formalised with the signing of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement on STI in 2013.
During his official visit to Beijing from April 23 to 27 last year, which coincided with the 3rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on STI, both nations reached a strong mutual consensus to jointly fund six research and development projects across six high-impact fields:
• energy storage technology;
• human vaccines;
• space technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology; and
• advanced materials.
The Malaysian projects will be conducted in collaboration with several Chinese institutions, including Shandong University, Dalian University of Technology, Fudan University, Central South University, Abogen Biosciences, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Changchun University of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Honghai Shen), and Nanjing University (Jianping Lei).
He said due to overwhelming interest, China has proposed expanding its support from six projects to between 12 and 20 projects, which will be further discussed at the 4th JCM Meeting next year.
“This signals clear confidence. It signals maturity and signifies a pathway that strengthens technology exchange, accelerates capability uplift and expands binational innovation pipelines.
“The programme reinforces Malaysia’s credibility in science by funding research with industry relevance, commercial potential, and opportunities for talent and technology exchange,” he added.
Chang urged recipients to use the opportunity strategically to form partnerships that benefit not only academia but also national competitiveness, commercial growth and societal impact.
MOSTI, he said, will continue strengthening Malaysia’s innovation landscape through catalytic R&D funding, targeted testbeds, translational research pathways and capacity building for young innovators to ensure Malaysia remains future-ready.
“This recognition is not only a celebration of excellence; it is also a reminder that Malaysia must continue moving upstream, from discovery to deployment, from knowledge to value creation,” he added.
