UMP collaborates with industries to strengthen WBL, career placement

KUANTAN, 15 February 2022 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has established a strategic collaboration with industries to strengthen networks in various fields, especially academic, research, innovation, and human resource development that will benefit the university the industry.

The collaboration was sealed through the memorandum of understanding (MoU) involving seven industries, namely MMC Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Techniker Expert Sdn. Bhd., Move Robotic Sdn. Bhd., Noble Country Sdn. Bhd., Hoi Keen Service Sdn. Bhd., Seeloz (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Aspen Technology.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin who performs the function of the UMP Vice-Chancellor, this collaboration involves work-based learning (WBL), a learning approach that integrates learning at the university with learning in the industry to create integrated experiences (theoretical and practical) in producing competent students.

“This WBL programme is a structured initiative for student placement in the industry that focuses on curriculum, learning goals, teaching and learning methods, assessment, and implementation methods.

“The WBL approach also plays a vital role in developing lifelong learning through actual experience in the industry.

“The collaboration with the industry will improve students’ knowledge and skills in line with the needs of the industry,” he said at the MoU Exchange Ceremony between UMP and the industries at the UMP Pekan Library.

In fact, he said, this collaboration also explored cooperation in sharing expertise, industrial training placements, short-term courses, and others.

In the meantime, the Vice President of Asia Pacific & Japan, Aspen Technology (Aspen Tech Inc.), Lawrence Ng, said that in preparation for the digitalisation era and capital-intensive industries, the challenges and skill shortage need to be well addressed.

“Innovation sustainability and the use of software can bridge the gap between chemical engineers and data scientists with a focus on IT and OT,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Seeloz (M) Sdn. Bhd., Mohd Emran Ibrahim said, as a provider of an international automation chain with over 20 years of experience, they have collaborative relationships at the international level such as Microsoft, SAP and Oracle in achieving the mission of transforming the supply chain for the government, MNC and others.

“This collaboration also provides an opportunity for cooperation in training, education, research development and the AI Centre of Excellence (CoE),” he said.

In addition, the Chief Operating Officer, MMC Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Yoshio Kobayashi who was present for the MoU documents exchange, expected students to gain knowledge and improve competency and communication skills in the industrial training placement programmes when connecting with the professional world in the realm of employment.

Also present exchanging the MoU documents were the Chief Executive Officer of Techniker Expert Sdn. Bhd., Muhammad Eezam Masripan, Chief Executive Officer of Move Robotic Sdn. Bhd., Mohd Hazeli Rasul, Executive Director of Seeloz (M) Sdn. Bhd., Mohd Emran Ibrahim, Managing Director of Noble Country Sdn. Bhd., Azri Nurudin Amadaldin, Director of Hoi Keen Service Sdn. Bhd., Leong Xiu Xing and Senior Technical Consultant of Aspen Technology Inc, Kent Ooi.

The ceremony organised by the Centre for Industry and Community Network was also attended by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor of the Graduate Development Department, Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), Professor Dr. Mahadzhir Ishak, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE), Associate Professor Dr. Hamdan Daniyal, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP), Professor Ts. Dr. Che Ku Mohammad Faizal.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology