UTAR inks MoU with B.K. Geosoil Engineering

Prof Chuah and Mr Agilan exchanging the MoU (from left: Dr Lee Ming Lee, Prof Tanaka, Prof Yow & from right: Mr Kalaiarasu Balakrishnan, and Mr Nesakumar)

Stepping up efforts on academia-industry partnerships, UTAR collaborates with laboratory soil testing expert B.K. Geosoil Engineering Sdn Bhd (GSE) in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony which was held at the Sg Long Campus on 6 February 2015.

Signing the MoU on behalf of UTAR was its President Ir. Prof Academician Dato’ Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, and for GSE, it was Executive Chairman Mr. Agilan Muniandy. The witnesses for the signing were UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Prof Ir. Dr. Yow Ho Kwang and GSE Director Mr. Nesakumar Balakrishnan.

The MoU establishes a basis for UTAR and GSE to explore collaborative areas, including the development and improvement of laboratory equipment for advanced soil testing, developing information and knowledge dissemination as well as fostering an active communication culture on advancing more knowledge in soil testing. UTAR students and the academics will also benefit from the co-operation through participation in industrial training, research opportunities and industry-based projects.

Prof Chuah said, “Today’s MoU is most timely and in line with the educational excellence of UTAR in providing quality and industry relevant programmes. With the present environmental issues of floods, soil erosion and landslides, it is very critical that our Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science students are also well exposed to updated environmental knowledge, with awareness on the practical aspects of the industry. Today’s MoU paves the way for our students to gain the essential expertise about the fundamentals of soil testing and the practical skills to carry out quality soil testing with accurate test reports.” He also added that UTAR Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) will also tap on GSE expertise on research studies for natural disaster risk management. 

During his speech, Mr. Agilan said, “This MoU will mark a new era of endless possibilities in terms of productivity, innovation and quality in this ever modernising fast paced world and in light of natural disaster with this ever changing harsh environment. We at B.K. Geosoil Engineering Sdn. Bhd. an advance soil testing company with quality through service as our motto, believe that with the embarking on this new venture to research, invent and knowledge sharing basis it will benefit both the students in terms of first hand industry experience for further quality education and promote innovation as well as benefits the company and in long term benefits the country economy and the world.”

Agilan also thanked Prof Chuah and UTAR Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction Chairperson Prof Dr Yasuo Tanaka for their strong commitment in promoting civil engineering for the benefit of the students and the university. He pledged a donation of RM10,000 to the UTAR Education Foundation on behalf of GSE. UTAR is indeed thankful for GSE’s contribution.

Prof Chuah giving his welcoming speech

Agilan delivering his speech

The MoU signatories, guests, and LKC FES students after the ceremony