UMPSA forges strategic collaborations with 5 leading companies and institutions

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 June 2024 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has further strengthened its relationships with industry and educational institutions through a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement Signing Ceremony (MoU/MoA) with five leading companies and institutions, in conjunction with the MTUN Industry-Academia Discourse on Advanced TVET (MIAD) 2024.

MIAD was inaugurated by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur, recently. 

Representing UMPSA, the Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Dato' Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, was present along with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin. 

The event was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman.

According to Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, this collaboration demonstrates UMPSA's recognition of its lecturers and research talent. 

"This effort will continue to strategically mobilize the university's talents, ensuring that technological expertise benefits society as a whole. 

“As part of MTUN, UMPSA aims to produce more research products based on Engineering and Technology through high-impact studies and research, meeting market needs in line with the UMPSA Strategic Plan 2021-2025," he said.

The five companies involved are Eastern Unity Technology Sdn. Bhd. (EUT), represented by its Director, Ali Hassan Abdulrahman Al-Saggaf. EUT, a subsidiary of Al Watheeq Company from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed an agreement for the sale of UMPSA's Intellectual Property, Patent No. PI2023006909, titled 'Improved Anaerobic Membrane System for Wastewater Treatment,' resulting from research by Professor Dr. Abdurrahman Hamid Nour at the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP) UMPSA. EUT previously acquired two patents from UMPSA in 2021: Patents PI2013701224, MY-169316-A titled 'Emulsion Fuel' and PI2019006769 titled 'Heavy Emulsion Surfactant.'

UMPSA's strategic collaboration with Unigenix Sdn. Bhd. is represented by its Managing Director and Founder, Ariff Khalid. 

This collaboration involves the Patent Licensing of UMPSA's Patent No. PI 2020003660, titled 'Plant Nutrients Complex,' developed by Dr. Noormazlinah Ahmad also from FTKKP, UMPSA. 

The patent, a specially formulated liquid fertilizer with prebiotics, enhances the nutritional value and absorption of essential nutrients by plants. 

This technology was developed in 2018 and patented on 15 July 2020.

Futurise Sdn. Bhd., represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Rosihan Zain Baharudin, focuses on a drone technology program to drive a dynamic ecosystem for drone sports and the development of drone technology in Malaysia. The initiative, starting with Dronecubator, aims to nurture new talent among Malaysian youth.

Harbin Institute of Information Technology (HIIT), represented by the Dean of HIIT's School of Software Engineering, Gao Lu, focuses on Software Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Network. 

Eight HIIT academic staff are currently participating in a month-long training program at the Faculty of Computing, UMPSA, facilitating academic and research collaboration, staff, and student exchanges.

Beijing Zhongcheng Linuo Technology, represented by its CEO, Dr. Zhao Kexin, involves collaboration with UMPSA Advanced in training, academic, and research programmes, especially in computer science (undergraduate and postgraduate).

Additionally, UMPSA, along with MTUN universities, signed an MoU with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to implement the TVET BORNEO Coastal Program. 

This collaborative programme will create opportunities for Sabah's Vocational College (KV) graduates to pursue the Bachelor of Technology at UMPSA.

UMPSA is also committed to expanding access to TVET programmes by establishing several coastal campuses, providing students with opportunities to pursue TVET studies to the optimum level. 

This collaboration aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education's (KPT) call for MTUN to expand TVET programmes in Borneo and supports MTUN's Advanced TVET 2030 direction.

By: Nor Salwana Mohamad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)