UMP and Haro Sports working together in motor sports vehicle manufacturing

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) is set to be the first institute of higher learning in Malaysia to have the know-how in manufacturing motor sports vehicle and become the main manufacturer for the Formula Comet.
The university signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haro Sports and Entertainment Sdn. Bhd. recently that would pave the way for collaborations in automotive engineering and exploring the possibilities that would help expand the motor and racing industry.
It was a collaboration between synergy partners, one from a public sector and another from the private sector.
It would also involve research works and transfer of motoring and racing technology to the trainers and trainees comprising UMP students and staff themselves.
The signing ceremony was held at Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Banquet Hall at UMP Pekan on August 30, 2019. Haro Sports also presented a Toyota 86 racing car to UMP. 
UMP was represented by UMP Board of Director member (representing the Senate), Dato’ Ts. Dr. Rosli Mohd. Yunus and Dean of Industrial Innovation, Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Adam Abdullah while Haro Sports by its Managing Director, Fahrizal Hasan and General Manager, Mohamad Yamin Ahmad Shafie.
The collaboration would open a lot of opportunities for selected UMP students to venture into the field and enhance their skills in Formula Comet motor sports vehicle research and development programme as well as in racing and event management.
This was in line with UMP’s agenda in communalising technology and promoting bilateral ties with the industry that would further enrich the country’s Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) programme.
Dato’ Ts. Dr. Rosli said, UMP was proud to see the initiative taken by the Automotive Engineering Centre (AEC) took off with the collaboration forged with Haro Sports that would enhance transfer of technology in the field of manufacturing motor sports vehicle.
“Motor sport is seen as one eco-system that involves its development as an industry. The development does not only include the vehicle, driver or rider but also the many individuals that work behind the scenes. They are the backbone of the team. The unsung heroes,” he said.
He also said it was in line with TVET-based education development plan - the Learning Factory and Teaching Factory concepts - of which the learning would constantly consisted of students and representatives from the industry.
According to Fahrizal, the Formula Comet was seen as having huge potentials to be successful as there were high demands to develop motor sports.
“The potential to expand the market of Formula Comet motor sports championship has been identified and it can be extended further to cover countries in the South Asia, Pacific and East Asia regions.
“This will lead to more job opportunities and industrial training in motoring and racing, globally, and generate high income for UMP graduates. This will also help to boost the graduates’ marketability and quality,” he said.
He also said the collaboration would open up to a wider prospect of networking especially with potentially credible international partners.