UMP and Aspen Technology will expand collaboration in technology field

KUANTAN, 19 January 2022 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Aspen Technology (AspenTech) will expand university and industry collaboration in academics, research, industry networking and community.

The collaboration also involves the establishment of the UMP-AspenTech Training Centre and creating opportunities for matching grants, work-based learning activities and sharing of expertise in the industry.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli, UMP has been using AspenTech software for over 15 years especially in the chemical engineering programme.

“The software is not only used in several final year courses, Integrated Design Project (IDP) and final year projects, but also research,” he said, who was present during the online discussion involving both parties.

This discussion will also enable UMP to play an important role in producing a skilled and quality professional workforce in the country.

In fact, he hoped that this collaboration would be able to develop and improve the quality of the university curriculum to meet the demands of the ever-changing industry.

Meanwhile, Aspen Technology’s Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan, Lawrence Ng, said AspenTech was pleased to work with UMP, a respected technical university, in strengthening the pool of engineering talent in the community.

“In preparation for the digitalisation process and capital-intensive industries, challenges such as skills shortages need to be addressed.

“Innovation-driven sustainability is a critical mission and asset optimisation software is well-positioned to bridge the gap between chemical engineers and data scientists with a focus on information technology (IT) and operation technology (OT),” he said.

Also present were Aspen Technology Senior Director, Global Customer Support & Training, David Reumuth, Director, Customer Support & Training, Rocky Liu and Senior Director, Field Marketing, Tina Chee.

In addition, UMP was represented by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, UMP Graduate Development Department, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP), Professor Ts. Dr. Che Ku Mohammad Faizal, Dean of the College of Engineering (KKEJ), Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Haji Nik Mohd Zuki Nik Mohamed, Director of the Center for Industry and Community Networking, Associate Professor Dr. Saiful Anwar Che Ghani and Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mohamad Rizza Othman as the programme coordinator.

Happening at the same time was a webinar programme titled Digitalisation in The Process Industries which was attended by 60 participants including students, staff and external parties.

The invited panel consisted of AspenTech’s Lawrence Ng and David Reumuth while Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Ruwaida Abdul Rasid moderated the session.

In this programme, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mohamad Rizza also had the opportunity to present on the planned Aspen Competency Development programme.

By: Halizan Mohmood, Centre For Industry and Community Network (ICoN)
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology