The Success Story of UMPSA-BJTU Dual Degree Programs

Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) and Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), China, have established a groundbreaking partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on April 28, 2021. 

This milestone solidified their collaboration on the UMPSA-BJTU Dual Degree Programs in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering. The partnership traces its roots to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on July 31, 2018, reflecting the commitment of both institutions to advancing academic cooperation and innovation. The MoA signing ceremony was attended by BJTU President, Professor Dr. Wang Jiaqiong and Vice-President (International), Professor Dr. Guan Zhongliang, who joined virtually. Distinguished Malaysian representatives, including the Director-General of the Public Service Department (JPA), Tan Sri Mohd. Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, Director-General of Higher Education, Professor Datuk Dr. Husaini Omar, and UMPSA Board of Directors Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, supported this collaboration.

BJTU is being selected as UMPSA’s strategic partner for its globally recognized expertise in railway engineering. In 2018, BJTU ranked #751-800 in the QS World University Rankings and holds the top in Transportation Science and Technology subject rankings. There are three programs offered in collaboration between UMPSA and BJTU, which include a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) Civil Engineering at UMPSA and Bachelor of Civil Engineering at BJTU, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) Mechanical Engineering at UMPSA and Bachelor of Engineering in Vehicle Engineering at BJTU, and Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) at UMPSA and Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Automation at BJTU. These programs combine the strengths of both universities in offering students a supreme academic experience.

The programs are meticulously structured to enhance students' academic, cultural, and language experiences. In the first two years at UMPSA, students will focus on mastering essential knowledge related to their programs, as well as learning the Mandarin language. To advance to BJTU, students must achieve a minimum Level 3 in the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) language proficiency test, while Level 4 is required for receiving the dual degree award. This language requirement ensures that graduates possess strong Mandarin competencies, thereby enriching their career opportunities and cultural understanding. Then they continue for an extra 2.5 years at BJTU in China, focusing on their program specialization. Their intern was at BJTU and they will have a project in their last year. Internship in China was the best experience in terms of new technology about railway engineering. Parenthetically it provides an opportunity for students to experience the diversity of a rich cultural landscape. Such a holistic approach better prepares students to thrive in a globalizing economy.

In addition, all programs receive accreditation from the China Engineering Education Accreditation Association (CEEAA) which operates under the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) and approved by the Ministry of Education, China. Similarly. UMPSA’s programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Malaysia Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA) and approved by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. This collaboration is in line with Malaysia’s Critical Occupational List (COL) 2019/2020 which addresses the need of local skilled human capital in the areas of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

In the field of railway engineering industry, it is important and urgent to develop a batch of talented personnel. These efforts highlight the significance of developing specialized experts for the railway engineering industry. This enrolment of 153 active students over five cohorts in the UMPSA-BJTU Dual Degree Program represents consistent growth and strong participation. First cohort consists of 45 students (15 from Civil Engineering, 20 from Mechanical Engineering, and 10 from Electrical Engineering) who have been fully sponsored by the Public Service Department (JPA) to study in BJTU starting in September of 2022. Meanwhile, cohort 2 and 3 have a total of 25 and 31 JPA-sponsored students respectively. In Cohort 4, students are sponsored by a combination of 28 JPA and 13 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

The first cohort of 45 students will graduate on January 8, 2025, at the inaugural Graduation Ceremony at BJTU, China. This event marks a new zenith in their academic careers as well as the success of UMPSA-BJTU cooperation. Until then, this project has displayed some effectivity as a number of graduates are already in receipt of job offers from China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL). The program’s success is reflected in the fact that some students have even been presented with job offers before they graduate. 

Both UMPSA and JPA will send a strong delegation to BJTU, Beijing, China for this special occasion. JPA is represented by Datuk Dr. Anesee Ibrahim, Deputy Director-General Public Service (Development) and Shahril Nizam Idris Education Counsellor Malaysian Embassy in Seoul, Mohd Afif bin Mohd Fadzil, Special Officer to Deputy Director-General Public Service (Development) and Muhammad Sallehuddin Mohd Dilif Education Counsellor, Education Malaysia Beijing (EMB). From UMPSA, the delegation includes Lt. Col. Professor Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Yusoh, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Academic Advancement, Professor Dr. Mahadzir Ishak, Dean of the Faculty of Technology Engineering Mechanical and Automotive, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee Khai Loon, Deputy Director of the Centre for Strategic Academic Collaboration (PKSA), and other teams from UMPSA also join the delegation to ensure seamless academic collaboration activities. Together, this delegation reflects the strong commitment of both UMPSA and JPA to the success of the Dual Degree Program and the graduates it has produced.

The collaboration between UMPSA and BJTU represents a significant achievement in Malaysia-China relations and higher education. By combining academic expertise, cultural exchange, and industry relevance, the program sets a new benchmark for international partnerships, equipping graduates to contribute to national development and excel on the global stage.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International)
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)
Email:ahmadziad@umpsa.edu.my

Deputy Director
Centre for Strategic Academic Collaboration
Department of Academic and International Affairs
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)
Email:leekhailoon@umpsa.edu.my