MoU for Unity Internship Programme

Seventh from left: Puan Aldrina, Datuk Heng, Tan Sri Ting, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Tun Ling, Tuan Baharin, and the representatives from the five private universities and seven GLCs

UTAR together with other four private universities and seven government-linked companies (GLCs) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Unity Internship Programme (Program Latihan Industri Perpaduan, PLIP) at its Sungai Long Campus on 11 April 2017.

The private universities signing the MoU were UTAR, Asia Pacific University, HELP University, SEGI University and Taylor’s University. On the other hand, the GLC signees were Amanah Raya Berhad, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK), Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS), Pharmaniaga, Plus Malaysia Berhad, and Proton Holdings.

The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup. Also present at the signing were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling, UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Prime Minister’s Department of National Unity and Integration (Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional, JPNIN) Affairs Adviser Datuk Heng Seai Kie, JPNIN Director General Tuan Baharin Bin Idris, JPNIN Deputy Director General for Planning Puan Aldrina @ Mimi O.P Andu, as well as representatives from the GLCs and higher learning institutions.

The PLIP was initiated by JPNIN. The first phase started in 2014 with the aim to provide the bumiputra students from the selected local universities to undergo industrial trainings in private sector. Following its success at phase one, JPNIN through this MoU signing congregated the five private universities and seven GLCs to participate in the second phase of PLIP.

According to JPNIN, PLIP (Phase 2) provides opportunity for non-bumiputera students from the selected private universities to receive internship training in the industry, particularly at the GLCs. In view of consolidating national unity and reducing ethnicity barriers, this programme will also serve as a platform for the students to work in the actual workplace which consists of multiple races, cultures and religions.

Prof Chuah speaking on the partnership with JPNIN and GLCs for the second phase of PLIP

In his welcome remark, Prof Chuah said, “It is with great delight that we officially sign the MoU to establish a strong foundation for a sustainable partnership. This MoU is very relevant for our students seeking internships and industry exposure. I am sure it will bring much more fruitful activities that will strengthen the relationship between UTAR, JPNIN and the GLCs in Malaysia. I look forward to this positive direction with a hope that together we can train new talents and help to build a more harmonious nation, as well as to seek solutions to meet the economic challenges in the years ahead.”

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup underlining the importance of fostering unity in the workplace

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup emphasised on the purpose of PLIP in promoting unity and integration. He said, “The main objective of this programme is to bring people of all races together. The second phase of PLIP will create exposure for the non-bumiputra students to work with the bumiputras, thus fostering mutual understanding and allow them to gain experience in diversity. We will see more than a thousand of non-bumiputra students joining this programme. We are hopeful that through such exposure, it will help to enhance unity in our country by reducing misunderstanding and prejudice between bumiputras and non-bumiputras.”

The MoU signing ceremony for the second phase of Unity Internship Programme

The MoU signing saw some 300 participants in the audience