UTAR and FMM Perak sign MoU

From left: Hew, Dr Au Yong, Prof Lee, Prof Chuah, Dato’ Gan, Chok, Louis, Prof Choong, Chan, Zulkepli and Won

UTAR and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Perak signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 22 September 2016 at Kampar Campus, laying the cornerstone for dynamic industry-academia collaboration.

The MoU will see UTAR and FMM Perak exploring a wide spectrum of areas including industrial trainings and attachments, staff/students trainings, professional development courses and collaboration with industries in Perak.

The signatories from UTAR were President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, while FMM Perak was represented by Chairman Dato’ Gan Tack Kong and Senior Manager Louis Gnanapragasam. Also present at the ceremony were FMM Perak Vice Chairman Francis Chok Yin Fatt, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee, UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance Dean Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, UTAR Division of Community and International Networking Director Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, FMM Perak Manager Mahinder Singh, and FMM Perak Committee Members Won Foo Yee, Mark Chan and Zulkepli Bin Hussin.

Reminiscing of the maiden collaboration with FMM which was a seminar on wastewater following the inaugural MoU signing between both parties in 2009, Prof Chuah said both UTAR and FMM have subsequently worked closely on several occasions such as the invitation to UTAR to participate in the Malaysia-China (Wenzhou) Expo event among others. According to Prof Chuah, Malaysia is often seen by other countries such as South Korea and China as a strategic partner in the ASEAN region, which has resulted in institutions of higher learning like UTAR reaping an abundance of opportunities to collaborate with overseas partners. “As a university, we can be the bridge between the industries and our overseas partners. And by capitalising on these working opportunities, we are also able to benefit our local small and medium industries and enterprises by assisting them in reaching out to a wider market,” Prof Chuah mentioned. He also voiced his hope that this MoU will be an impetus for UTAR and FMM Perak to jointly contribute to the overall development and growth of industries in the Silver State. 

Prof Chuah thanking Dato’ Gan for the opportunity to work together

Echoing Prof Chuah’s sentiment on boosting the SMEs in the country, Dato’ Gan highlighted the importance of working with strategic partners and how this can help to benefit Perak. Also impressed by UTAR’s remarkable track record and achievements in a span of 14 years, Dato’ Gan said, “It’s a privilege for FMM Perak to be one of UTAR’s industry partners by which we are able to share resources and knowledge. Globalisation today has made it necessary for the industry to connect with the students.” Citing the example of Facebook and Google being invented by students, Dato’ Gan also mentioned the need to empower and encourage students to be creative and innovative as their ideas can be taken to help the industries.  

Dato’ Gan sharing his thoughts and hopes of the MoU

The ceremony reached its highlight with the signatories being invited to sign the documents and subsequently ended with a souvenir presentation session.

Prof Chuah and Dato’ Gan all smiles after signing the MoU while Prof Lee (left) and Louis (right) look on

Prof Chuah and Dato’ Gan exchanging souvenirs

Dubbed as “The Voice of the Malaysian Manufacturing Industry”, FMM was established in 1968 and is Malaysia’s largest private sector economic organisation representing more than 2,800 manufacturing and industrial service companies of varying sizes. FMM has since been leading Malaysian manufacturers in spearheading the nation’s growth and modernisation.

FMM Perak is currently one of UTAR’s 86 industry partners. UTAR’s robust network with many universities and industry partners has over the years cemented its position as a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact.