[2G] (30) International Session-II-2

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM JST(2:00 AM - 2:15 AM UTC)

[W-15] Overcoming the “Valley of Death” in Engineering Inter-University AgreementsA Case Study of Collaboration between Niigata University and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

○Yasutaka UEDA¹, Nurzal Effiyana GHAZALI² (1. Niigata University, 2. University of Technology Malaysia)

Keywords:

International Partnerships,Engineering Education,Early-Stage Activation,Faculty Engagement

Many engineering inter-university agreements stall after signing. This study analyzes the early partnership between Niigata University and University of Malayasia, and shows that institutional-needs alignment, strong trust-based faculty leadership, and early low-risk activities enabled activation. Student-led initiatives further expanded collaboration. The case highlights structural alignment, faculty engagement, and student agency as key to sustaining partnerships.