UMPSA strengthens strategic ties with 33 industry and community partners

PEKAN, 10 April 2025 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) continues to strengthen its strategic collaboration network with the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and memoranda of agreement (MoAs) with 33 collaborative partners from various sectors, held at the Banquet Hall, UMPSA Pekan Campus.

UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, stated in her speech that such programmes should be further enhanced through various activities involving both academia and industry.

“The input gained from these initiatives reflects efforts to move forward together between the university and its collaborative partners.

“We cannot deny that the relationship between academia and industry is a close one, each needing the other in terms of experience and expertise.

“As a university focused on engineering and technology programmes, I believe any industry requires such expertise to address industrial and community challenges sustainably,” she said.

She added that in the two years since 2022, UMPSA has recorded an impressive achievement with a total of RM7.87 million in industry grants involving 118 local and international industries.

“Moving forward, the university aims to empower academia-industry partnerships through various programmes such as research, work-based learning (WBL), industrial training placements, talent development, and career opportunities.

“This initiative is not only for students but also for staff, with the hope that they will return to UMPSA and contribute improvements.

“I hope this combination of academia and industry will enable both sides to share their respective expertise and benefit everyone, including the community,” she added.

The ceremony was also enlivened by a Powerhouse Talk – CEO@Faculty session featuring Lee Heng Yee, Executive Director of B-Crobes Group of Companies and CEO@Faculty for the Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology (FSTI), who shared insights in a talk titled ‘AI As A Catalyst for Healthcare Evolution’.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation (Industry and Community), Professor Dr. Mohd Hasbi Ab Rahim, Director of the Centre for Industry & Community Linkages (ICoN), Professor Ir. Dr. Chin Sim Yee, and other senior UMPSA officials.

Industry representatives in attendance included Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Wilhelmina Energy Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Kaneka (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Aqina Agricultural & Biotech Industries Sdn. Bhd., Hertford System Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Association for the Blind, Koperasi Bersama Johor Berhad, Iaq Facility Services Sdn. Bhd., and B-Crobes Laboratory Sdn. Bhd.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications