ASM Hosts Courtesy Visit by Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia

ASM welcomed His Excellency Gerhard Eisl, Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, for a courtesy visit on 19 May 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI).

The Ambassador was received by the ASM President and Chief Executive Officer for discussions on strengthening Malaysia–Austria relations through strategic partnerships and scientific collaboration.

The engagement drew on a strong foundation of past cooperation between Malaysia and Austria, particularly through Malaysia’s engagement with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria.

Through this partnership, ASM has supported collaborative research in areas such as air quality, sustainable land and forest management, energy transitions, and demographic projections. These longstanding collaborations provided a strong foundation for identifying new opportunities for cooperation.

Discussions during the visit focused on key strategic sectors of mutual interest, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy security, renewable energy, talent development and high technologies.

In particular, conversations on semiconductors explored potential opportunities in advanced packaging, research collaboration and stronger industry linkages, reflecting the sector’s growing importance in the global technology landscape.

These discussions also built on ASM’s existing engagement with Austrian industry, including its Memorandum of Understanding with AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., which provides a foundation for exploring research and development activities related to IC substrates, advanced packaging and related collaborative initiatives.

Both parties also highlighted renewable energy as an area for expanded cooperation, with interest in hydro, solar and electric vehicle ecosystems. These discussions aligned with broader efforts to enhance sustainability and energy resilience in both countries.

Talent development emerged as another mutual interest, with potential initiatives including scholarships, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, and exchange opportunities aimed at strengthening human capital and fostering knowledge exchange between Malaysia and Austria, including through platforms such as the Austrian-South-East Asian Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET).

The Malaysia Science Endowment was also highlighted as a potential platform to catalyse future joint initiatives, supporting collaborative research and enabling impactful STI partnerships between institutions from both countries.

Beyond sector-specific collaboration, the meeting explored opportunities in mission-oriented research areas, including ageing societies, agricultural systems, and sustainable development. These discussions underscored the shared commitment to addressing complex global challenges through interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches.

Regional and international dimensions were also considered, including the potential to strengthen ASEAN–European Union (EU) collaboration. Both parties discussed ways to enhance the visibility and impact of ASEAN-EU cooperation, particularly in domains such as technology, trade, industry, security and high technology. Platforms such as ASEAN Ahead and mission-oriented initiatives were identified as avenues to advance shared interests and promote deeper engagement.

The visit reaffirmed the important role of science diplomacy in fostering international collaboration and addressing shared regional and global challenges. It also highlighted the importance of sustained engagement among institutions, governments, and research communities in building resilient, forward-looking partnerships.

ASM looks forward to further developing these discussions and working closely with Austrian counterparts and relevant stakeholders to realise meaningful and impactful collaborations in science, technology, and innovation.