UTP and Arts et Métiers Deepen Strategic Collaboration Through CoESIUM Visit Across Four French Cities

Building bridges for a sustainable industry between ASEAN and Europe

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) continues to strengthen its global partnerships through a strategic visit to France under the Centre of Excellence for a Sustainable Industry between UTP and Arts et Métiers (CoESIUM). Held from 20 to 23 May 2025, the visit featured a series of high-level academic exchanges, research collaborations, and strategic planning sessions.

Hosted by Arts et Métiers, École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers, the week-long programme covered four cities: Chalon-sur-Saône, Angers, Paris, and Lille. The UTP delegation engaged with eight of the institution’s 15 research laboratories, focusing on collaborative opportunities in areas such as digital manufacturing, intelligent signal processing, advanced materials, structural integrity, human biomechanics, and sustainable energy systems.

The UTP delegation was led by Prof. Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Former Vice-Chancellor and Provost of UTP. The team also included:

• Assoc Prof Ts Dr Amila Zawawi, Senior Director, Technology Research Excellence (TREx)
• Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohamad Naufal Mohamad Saad, Co-Director of CoESIUM and Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department
• Mr. Khairul Azfar B. Zahri, Assistant Manager (Academic), Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer

A key highlight of the visit was the CoESIUM Steering Committee Meeting held in Paris on 22 May 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by senior leadership from both institutions, including Professor Laurent Champaney, President of Arts et Métiers. Discussions focused on evaluating progress since the launch of CoESIUM in 2022 and setting the strategic direction for the next five years. Priority areas identified include PhD cotutelle arrangements, joint research funding opportunities, and enhanced mobility programmes for students and staff.

The visit also opened further avenues for academic-industry collaboration. Planned initiatives include joint doctoral programmes, extended faculty and student exchanges, and strengthened engagement with industry stakeholders in both Malaysia and France.

CoESIUM was established to support the transformation of industry in ASEAN and Europe. Its mission includes educating globally minded leaders, advancing cutting-edge research in sustainable industry, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and delivering high-impact professional development programmes for the industry.

Professor Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim expressed his confidence in the partnership.

“CoESIUM is more than a partnership. It is a forward-looking alliance that empowers talent, drives innovation, and delivers sustainable impact. This visit reaffirmed the mutual commitment of both institutions to long-term collaboration that benefits academia, industry, and society.”

The partne​rship between UTP and Arts et Métiers continues to flourish. It exemplifies the spirit of international academic cooperation and a shared ambition to drive industrial transformation for a greener and smarter future.