UMPSA forges strategic collaboration with 23 industries to drive talent development, research and innovation

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 January 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) continues to strengthen its strategic industry network by formalising 23 memoranda of understanding, memoranda of agreement, and letters of intent with local and international industry partners during the UMPSA–Industry MoU and MoA Exchange Ceremony Series 1 held at Perdana Hotel Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) recently.

The ceremony involved various industry sectors, including aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, chemicals, digital technology, utilities, data analytics, as well as strategic research, in line with the university’s agenda to empower talent development, high-impact research and innovation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah Alias, said the formalisation of these collaborations marks an important beginning for UMPSA in 2026 in driving sustainable strategic partnerships with industry.

“This gathering marks an important beginning as UMPSA has the opportunity to establish collaboration with 23 industry partners encompassing talent development, research, and innovation.

“This collaboration is not merely confined to agreement documents, but is built on shared values, trust, and readiness to collaborate for mutual benefit,” she said.

Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, and Director of University-Industry Relations, Professor Ir. Dr. Chin Sim Yee.

She added that this collaborative approach aligns with the Malaysia MADANI aspirations and Strategic Leap 6 under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026–2035, which emphasises the implementation of the research, development, innovation, commercialisation, and economy (RDICE) agenda to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem.

“University–industry collaboration plays a crucial role in ensuring graduate employability and the relevance of UMPSA research.

“This strategic collaboration also enables UMPSA to implement applied research, industry-based learning, and produce graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully to organisations and the nation from their first day in the workforce,” she said.

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of appointment letters to Adjunct Professors for UMPSA Centres of Excellence, aimed at strengthening direct industry expertise involvement within the university’s academic ecosystem.

Also held was a Powerhouse Talk session: CEO@Faculty titled ‘Talent Management in Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG)’ delivered by the Chief Human Capital Officer of Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG), Amran Mohd Tomin.

The session provided exposure to talent management strategies, workforce transformation, and future skills development in the aviation industry.

Among the key industry partners involved in the collaboration formalisation were Kaneka (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Aviation Group (MAG), SIRIM Berhad, CelcomDigi Berhad, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Hamad bin Khalifa University (Qatar), Metro Utilities Group Berhad, RunCloud Sdn. Bhd., as well as several other organisations across technology, manufacturing, research, and professional services sectors.

By: Siti Nur Azwin Zulkapri, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Ts. Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press