KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) strengthened their regional partnership through a tripartite meeting held on 11 May 2026 alongside the 49th FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC49) Meeting.
The meeting brought together 33 academic leaders, researchers and technical experts from ITB, UTM and SDUST, representing Indonesia, Malaysia and China. They discussed a coordinated programme of collaboration in hydrography and geospatial science. The session was opened by Prof. Sr Dr. Kherun Nita Ali, Dean of UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying.
UTM’s delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Ami Hassan Md Din, Chair of the Steering Committee for UTM Hydrography Programmes. SDUST was represented by a delegation led by Prof. Dr. Tu Rui, Dean of the College of Geodesy and Geomatics, while Prof. Poerbandono led the ITB delegation.
A central discussion concerned the proposed development of a joint curriculum framework aligned with the standards of competence maintained by FIG, IHO and ICA through the IBSC. The initiative is intended to harmonise academic content, technical training and professional learning outcomes, while supporting internationally recognised competencies and greater professional mobility for graduates across Asia.
The proposed framework is also expected to respond to rapid changes in the hydrographic and geospatial sectors. Areas considered for integration include artificial intelligence, autonomous marine systems, digital hydrography, satellite positioning, marine geospatial analytics and advanced seabed-mapping technologies. These subjects are increasingly important to education, research and professional practice.
Beyond curriculum development, the three institutions discussed opportunities for joint research, co-supervision of postgraduate students, staff and student mobility, industrial training and international knowledge exchange. By combining their expertise, facilities and regional networks, UTM, SDUST and ITB aim to establish a regional knowledge corridor connecting Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
The partnership also underlines the importance of closer cooperation among universities, industry and government. Such collaboration can support maritime safety, sustainable marine development, offshore resource management, coastal resilience and the digital transformation of the geospatial sector.
For ITB, the meeting provides a foundation for expanding international academic networks and creating new opportunities for students and researchers. The next step is to translate the proposed 2026-2028 roadmap into defined programmes, institutional responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
Through this partnership, the three universities share a commitment to preparing future-ready graduates who can address increasingly complex challenges in the global maritime and geospatial industries. The collaboration reflects a simple principle: oceans cross national borders, and knowledge, education and research must be equally connected.