UMPSA receives Proton X50 for teaching and learning
PEKAN, 13 June 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) received a new boost in its effort to strengthen teaching and learning based on automotive technology when it received two Proton X50 vehicles from the national car manufacturer, PROTON, recently.
The official handover of the vehicles took place in conjunction with the UMPSA 2025 Quality and Innovation Day (HKI) Ceremony held at the Multipurpose Hall, UMPSA Pekan.
The ceremony witnessed the Vice-Chancellor of UMPSA, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, receiving a replica of the vehicle from PROTON’s Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, Amran Mohd Tomin.
Also present were the Registrar, Dato’ Saiful Bahari Ahmad Bakarim, and the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), Professor Dr. Mahadzhir Ishak@Muhammad.
According to Professor Dr. Yatimah, this contribution is part of PROTON’s commitment to supporting the development of higher education in the country and strengthening the strategic relationship between industry and academic institutions.
“These vehicles will be used as teaching aids at FTKMA, particularly in courses related to smart vehicle technology, automotive electrical systems, and modern automation technology.
“This contribution not only strengthens the industry-based learning ecosystem but also aligns with the university’s aspiration to produce highly skilled TVET graduates who are capable of meeting the needs of the future automotive and mobility sectors.
“UMPSA has a strategic collaboration network with PROTON, particularly involving Work-Based Learning (WBL), a learning approach that integrates university-based education with industrial experience to create a comprehensive (theoretical and practical) learning experience for UMPSA students,” she said.
She added that this collaboration also involves the sharing of expertise and knowledge dissemination, in addition to producing competent and professional graduates in the automotive industry, covering both technical and automotive engineering fields.
“It also aims to create synergistic activities in innovative research and development (R&D) related to the vehicle industry, including implementing researcher exchange programmes, academic expert exchanges, and student exchanges.
“This contribution from PROTON is very meaningful to UMPSA as it provides students with direct access to learn and understand the latest automotive technology practically.
“It is also an excellent example of synergy between the industrial world and academia in enhancing the nation’s human capital development,” she added.
She further explained that with these vehicles, it is hoped that practical learning can be carried out, and students can gain a better understanding of the latest automotive technologies in the Proton X50.
“This effort is in line with UMPSA’s aspiration to develop expertise in the automotive field in accordance with current industry needs towards realising UMPSA’s agenda of becoming the ASEAN Advanced TVET Hub in the future,” she said.
Meanwhile, Amran, who was also appointed as an Adjunct Professor at FTKMA, stated that his side is committed to continuing to support national education development initiatives through the sharing of expertise, technology, and industrial training opportunities.
He believes that this collaboration can also help students deepen their understanding of the practical aspects of automotive engineering and build interest in green technology and smart vehicles, including the development of new talents in this industry.
The contribution of two Proton X50 units further strengthens UMPSA’s commitment to remaining relevant and dynamic as a world-class technical university, reflecting the vital role of the industrial sector in enhancing the national higher education learning ecosystem.
By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press
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