Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute (UniKL MFI) welcomed His Excellency Marc Abensour, Ambassador of France to Malaysia, on 10 September 2026, marking a renewed commitment to deepen Malaysia–France cooperation in technical education, talent development, research, innovation and industry engagement.
The visit carried particular significance for UniKL MFI, whose origins are closely linked to more than three decades of cooperation between Malaysia and France.
The Malaysia France Institute was established through a strategic collaboration formalised in 1993, with the partnership facilitating the transfer of French technical expertise, technology, training methodologies and pedagogical practices to Malaysia.
What began as a technology-transfer initiative has since developed into an enduring higher technical and vocational education and training (TVET) partnership.
In his welcoming address, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Kushsairy Abdul Kadir, described the relationship as a platform for the next generation of Malaysia–France cooperation, particularly in knowledge exchange, innovation and skills development.
He highlighted four areas with strong potential for further cooperation: talent development and mobility; technology and future skills; industry collaboration; and research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The next phase could see expanded student and staff mobility, industrial training and internships, stronger access to French expertise, and greater engagement between UniKL and French companies operating in Malaysia and the wider region.
It also reflects UniKL’s wider aspiration to connect higher TVET education more closely with employment, entrepreneurship and rapidly evolving industry requirements.
Among the technological fields identified for deeper collaboration are artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, microelectronics and sustainable technologies.
These areas are increasingly important as universities and industries respond to digital transformation, Industry 4.0, sustainable mobility and the demand for highly skilled technical talent.
The visit also provided the French delegation with a closer look at UniKL MFI’s applied TVET capabilities.
The campus tour included its Air Conditioning and Welding Workshop, Electric Vehicle Facility, Centre for Water Engineering Technology and Robotics Showcase, reflecting how the institute’s technical education foundation continues to evolve alongside changing industrial needs.
The Electric Vehicle Facility highlights UniKL MFI’s engagement with sustainable mobility, while its water engineering and robotics facilities demonstrate capabilities spanning environmental technology, automation and Industry 4.0 applications.
The courtesy visit brought together representatives from the Embassy of France and French industries. Also present were Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (MARA) Selangor State Director, YBhg. Mr. Mohd Halmishahril Ahmad Jamir.
The engagement supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through international learning and TVET development; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through industry-ready talent and employment pathways; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through emerging technologies and industry-linked innovation; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through sustained Malaysia–France academic, government and industry collaboration.
