Kao Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) recently announced the successful completion of the “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising their commitment to advancing public health through skincare education and research.
As part of the collaboration, Kao Malaysia, through its leading skincare brand Bioré, is contributing RM50,000 in funding across two flagship initiatives led by Universiti Malaya.
The first is a community engagement programme titled “Beautiful Change Begins with Us”, will be managed by the Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) focusing on hygiene awareness, environmental sustainability, and positive mental wellness for teenagers, adults, and children.
The second is a research collaboration for a project titled “Innovative Clean Skincare Formulations for Skin Protection and Healthy Living,” will be conducted by the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya.
These efforts are part of Kao Malaysia’s 1% pledge of Bioré product sales to support local skin health research.
“This partnership reflects Kao’s commitment to going beyond product innovation to create meaningful, science-driven impact in the communities we serve,” said Kao Malaysia president Yamazaki Hirobumi.
He added, “We believe that skin protection is not just a personal care choice, but a public health responsibility. Together with Universiti Malaya, we are proud to advance this vision for the benefit of all Malaysians.”
The MoU represents Kao Malaysia’s first academic partnership with an educational institution in Malaysia. Under this collaboration, Kao and UM will continue bridging science and public awareness to shape skincare as a foundational pillar of community health.
The campaign brought together Kao’s commitment to skin protection with UM’s research leadership in a shared effort to drive long-term community impact.
What began as a community-driven awareness campaign is now being extended through Kao’s funding support, enabling UM to strengthen its community engagement initiatives and advance research with enhanced equipment and resources for lasting benefits in skin health and wellness education.
In line with the MoU, Universiti Malaya will lead new research initiatives and public education efforts focused on sustainable skincare.
“We are truly honoured to collaborate with Kao Malaysia in strengthening the bridge between science and society,” said Associate Professor ChM Dr Noraini Ahmad, director of UM Community Engagement Centre (UMCares). “This MoU marks a meaningful step forward, opening doors to transform academic research into real-world solutions – from advancing clean formulation development to fostering greater community engagement.”
The MoU was signed by Yamazaki and Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, witnessed by Watsons Malaysia.
Launched in May 2025 in partnership with Watsons, the “Skin Protection, Life Perfection” campaign championed skin protection as the key to confidence. The initiative combined expert education, engaging consumer experiences and a 1% sales donation to support local research.
For more information, visit: www.kao.com/my
