UMP, AspenTech develop Academia-Industry Competency Programme

KUANTAN, 25 July 2022 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Aspen Technology (AspenTech) are expanding university and industry collaboration in the field of academia, research, industry networks and communities with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on 1 November 2021.

Recently, the AspenTech Competency Development Programme was held for five days to improve the efficiency of lecturers and graduate employability using the latest technology in the chemical, oil and gas processing industry.

The programme was attended by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Department of Industrial and Community Collaboration (JKIM), Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin and AspenTech’s Director of Support Services and Training, Rocky Liu.

According to Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina, this collaboration focuses on three main areas, namely student competency and development improvement programs, reskilling and upskilling for staff and executive programme development.

“The activities carried out will benefit the community by producing advanced products, solving complex industrial problems, driving economic growth and creating a more skilled workforce.

“This initiative aligns with the UMP Strategic Plan 2021-2025 agenda of High-Level TVET Excellence and Innovation with Industrial Collaboration Working on UMP-Industry Technical Capabilities.

“The first programme was held from 28 February to 4 March 2022 starting with four days of training sessions fully managed by AspenTech and a certification exam that lasted for four hours on the last day,” he said.

Such strategic collaboration also allows for larger initiatives to enable UMP to play an important role in creating a skilled and qualified professional workforce.

At the same time, this collaboration has the role of expanding and improving the quality of the curriculum to meet the needs of an ever dynamic industry.

A total of 25 participants from UMP staff and students successfully completed this training programme.

Through this programme, 17 participants or 68 per cent have passed and been recognised as Aspen Plus Certified Users.

Also present in this programme was the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP), Professor Ts. Dr. Che Ku Mohammad Faizal Che Ku Yahya to deliver the programme certificate.

By: Siti Nur Azwin Zulkapri, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology