UKM Co-Hosts Landmark Global Symposium On Just Energy Transition With Next-Generation Solar
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), through its Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), co-hosted the TEA@SUNRISE Symposium 2026 - a landmark international gathering aimed at accelerating a just energy transition through innovative, accessible and sustainable next-generation solar technologies across ASEAN.
UKM, in a statement today, said Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh, when launching the symposium, underscored the varsity's strategic commitment to sustainability and its role as a catalyst for regional energy solutions.
Sufian, in his opening remarks, also said the university plays a key role as a catalyst for regional energy solutions, with a strong focus on translating research into tangible impact for national and ASEAN-level energy transitions.
“This symposium exemplifies UKM’s strategic commitment to being a leading research university for sustainability. As an institution, we are not only advancing frontier research but also actively translating knowledge into solutions for national and regional priorities.
“Hosting this global network aligns perfectly with our mission to drive the energy transition, and we are dedicated to fostering the partnerships and talent necessary to make Southeast Asia a hub for innovative, just, and sustainable solar energy,” he said.
Meanwhile, SERI director Prof Dr Norasikin Ahmad Ludin said the symposium aimed to explore the potential of the next-generation solar local value chain while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the technologies.
“Our goal is to develop robust strategies that can inform policy for local manufacturing, thereby creating significant economic and environmental benefits for our region and beyond,” said Norasikin, who is also a member of the TEA@SUNRISE Leadership Group.
Held under the theme “Strategies for Accelerating a Just Energy Transition Through the Adoption of Next-Generation Solar Technologies,” the symposium marked a significant step towards shaping a sustainable and equitable energy future for Malaysia, Southeast Asia and beyond.
The opening ceremony also featured a keynote address by British High Commission representative Murugadash Tevar Loganathan, who highlighted the enduring strength of the Malaysia-United Kingdom partnership in science, technology and innovation.
He reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives such as TEA@SUNRISE in building inclusive and climate-resilient economies.
The TEA@SUNRISE Symposium serves as a platform for global dialogue on advancing solar innovation and deployment, bringing together international experts, researchers, manufacturers, financiers and policymakers.
Discussions focused on developing a shared roadmap to scale next-generation solar technologies across the region, as well as other low- and middle-income countries.
TEA@SUNRISE is part of the Transforming Energy Access platform funded by UK aid from the UK Government to support the technologies, business models and skills needed to enable an inclusive, clean energy transition.
Principal Investigator for TEA@SUNRISE at Swansea University and UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Energy Technologies, Professor Matthew Davies, who spearheads the broader international efforts, said next-generation solar offers a unique opportunity to rethink how energy access is delivered.
“Through TEA@SUNRISE, we are bringing together researchers, industry, policymakers, and communities to ensure these technologies are deployed in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and locally relevant. Collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking are central to making that vision a reality,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
