Leave a Nest Strengthens Strategic Partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia to Accelerate Research, Talent and Technology Commercialisation
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 September 2026 – Leave a Nest Malaysia (Leave a Nest) has strengthened its strategic partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new phase of collaboration to connect Malaysian research and talent with industry, technology and innovation opportunities in Japan and beyond.
The MoU exchange took place in conjunction with the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (URIIS) 2026 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) and was witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Representing the two organisations were Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Vice-Chancellor of USM, and Abdul Hakim Sahidi, Managing Director of Leave a Nest Malaysia.
The partnership builds upon the existing relationship between Leave a Nest and USM, through which researchers and promising technologies from the university have been connected with Leave a Nest’s network of corporations, investors, researchers and technology communities, particularly in Japan.
Through these connections, Leave a Nest aims to create practical pathways for Malaysian researchers to move beyond academic research and explore industry collaboration, research funding, technology validation, talent mobility, investment and commercialisation opportunities.
To date, the collaboration has contributed to industry-supported research and development initiatives and investment opportunities involving USM, Leave a Nest and Japanese industry partners with an estimated total value of USD120,000.
Among the outcomes of the collaboration are research connections between USM researchers and Japanese companies including Euglena Co., Ltd. and KINCHO, supporting research activities in areas such as algae and vector-related research.
Beyond research collaboration, Leave a Nest has also connected USM researchers, students and innovators with its wider innovation ecosystem through platforms including TECH PLANTER and other international innovation initiatives. These platforms provide opportunities for researchers to communicate their technologies beyond academia, validate their relevance against industry needs, and establish relationships with potential corporate, investment and commercialisation partners.
For Leave a Nest, the partnership represents more than an institutional agreement. It reflects the company’s commitment to building a stronger Science Bridge between Malaysia and Japan, where researchers, students, corporations and entrepreneurs can work together to solve real societal and industrial challenges through science and technology.
“Our relationship with USM has already moved beyond introductions into actual collaboration between researchers and industry. Through this MoU, we want to further strengthen the bridge between Malaysia and Japan and create more opportunities for Malaysian researchers and technologies to connect with industries, investors and partners that can bring their research closer to society,” said Abdul Hakim Sahidi, Managing Director of Leave a Nest Malaysia.
As the Southeast Asia Headquarters of the Leave a Nest Group, Leave a Nest Malaysia will continue to leverage its regional and global ecosystem to create opportunities connecting universities, researchers, startups, corporations and investors across Malaysia, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Moving forward, Leave a Nest and USM will explore further opportunities in joint research, researcher and talent development, industry engagement, technology commercialisation and cross-border innovation, with the aim of transforming institutional collaboration into tangible technological, economic and societal impact.
Through this partnership, Leave a Nest will continue advancing its mission of “Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness” by creating platforms where knowledge and technology can cross borders, connect with industry and ultimately contribute to society.
About Leave a Nest Malaysia
Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. was established in 2013 as part of the Leave a Nest Group, a science and technology company originating from Japan. Leave a Nest Malaysia works with researchers, startups, educational institutions, corporations and government organisations to develop science and technology-based solutions and nurture the people who can bring those solutions into society.
Through initiatives spanning education, human development, research development and frontier development, Leave a Nest Malaysia connects local talents and technologies with regional and global opportunities, particularly across Japan and Southeast Asia.
Official Release from USM :
https://usmofficial1969.com/4jn1G5Q