UMPSA signs MoA with Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

PEKAN, 12 June 2024 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the world’s leading automotive brand, Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM), to establish bilateral strategic collaboration.

In the ceremony, UMPSA was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Industry and Community Networks, Professor Datin Ts. Dr. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim, while VGM was represented by its Managing Director, Dr. Susanne Lehmann and Volkswagen Pekan Director, Nor Hayati Othman.

Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, in his speech, described the collaboration as the best platform to strengthen relations with industry players to empower education, research and technology, especially in the automotive and electronics fields.

“Through this partnership, VGM will share its expertise, resources and know-how in world-renowned German engineering technology with the car manufacturing industry.

“Volkswagen in Pekan will also offer industrial training placements to students, and the MoA will also involve seminars, workshops and research on new technologies.

“It is time for UMPSA and Volkswagen to renew the MoA, continue the MoU collaboration since 2019 and MoA in 2020 in a programme that benefits both parties,” he said.

The collaboration also involves talent development, staff training, expertise exchange, knowledge and technology transfer, research and development on global challenges, as well as Malaysia’s transition towards green technology, including electric vehicles (EV).

“This effort aligns with Malaysia’s intention to take steps to leverage the existing electric vehicle ecosystem and ensure a strong pool of talent to support the development of the EV industry in Malaysia.

“In fact, UMPSA’s recent visit to the Volkswagen Group Academy in Wolfsburg has also opened up new collaborative opportunities for UMPSA to offer reskilling and upskilling training to staff,” he said.

On this occasion, Dr. Susanne also shared Volkswagen’s expertise and passion for the production of electric vehicles and more conventional models in Malaysia, as well as plans to make Malaysia an export hub for Volkswagen, the world’s largest automotive brand.

Also present at the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha and Legal Advisor, Marlina Mamat.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology