UMPSA and MIDA strengthen cooperation in the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Sectors

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 October 2024 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has reinforced its cooperation with industry partners through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UMPSA and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). This agreement also involves the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) and 15 industry partners.

This collaboration supports UMPSA's strategy to strengthen university-industry relationships through academic partnerships, research, and human capital development. It aligns with UMPSA's aspirations to promote TVET and develop students equipped to face industry challenges.

The ceremony featured the exchange of MoU documents between MIDA and MTUN, witnessed by the Director of the Industrial Relations Division, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Dato' Dr. Mohd Sharil Abdullah.

MIDA was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, while MTUN was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of UMPSA, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin; Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Professor Dato' Ir. Ts. Dr. Ruzairi Abdul Rahim; Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Massila Kamalrudin; and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Zaliman Sauli.

Also present were MIDA's Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Zalina Zainol; UMPSA's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and InternationalAffairs), Professor Dato' Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman; and the Director of the Centre for Industry and Community Relations (ICRC), UTHM, Professor Eur Ing. Ir. Ts. Dr. Shahiron Shahidan.

According to UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, this collaboration underscores the importance of robust university-industry partnerships in fostering a dynamic and agile educational ecosystem.

"Today's ceremony marks a significant milestone in developing programmes that align directly with the skills required by the manufacturing, engineering, and technology sectors.

"MTUN acts as a crucial bridge between academia and industry, ensuring that graduates are not only academically proficient but also possess the technical and quality skills highly sought after by today's industry," he said.

During the same ceremony, MTUN also witnessed collaborations with 15 industry partners. UMPSA exchanged MoU documents with five industry partners: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) East Branch, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn. Bhd. (MMHE), Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON), MKAY Energy Sdn. Bhd., and IBG Environment Sdn. Bhd.

UTeM signed MoU documents with four industry partners: Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Texas Instruments Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Petronas Lubricants International Sdn. Bhd. (PLISB), and MRL Engineering Sdn. Bhd.

UTHM established collaborations with three industry partners: Talentbank Sdn. Bhd., Cohu Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., and Visual In-tech Sdn. Bhd.

UniMAP formed partnerships with four industry partners: Vahtiqa Resources Sdn. Bhd., Global Digital Technologies Sdn. Bhd., AQ Aros Consulting, and Glide Marine Sdn. Bhd.

UMPSA also appointed four Adjunct Professors: Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid; Senior Director of Production Module 2 at Infineon Technologies, Mohd Jeffery Abdull Manaf; Chief Executive Officer of MYNIC Berhad, Datuk Ts. Hasnul Fadhly Hasan; and Chief Operating Officer of Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn. Bhd., Ir. Dr. Abdul Aziz Abbas.

These individuals were appointed through the CEO@Faculty Programme (CFP), which encourages knowledge sharing between academia and industry by pairing selected CEOs with universities. This initiative enables industry leaders to share their expertise and experience with students and faculty members, further aligning university educational programmes with industry standards.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre For Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)