MoU with WISE AI for new-age technologies

From left: Dr Kwan, Dr Madhavan, Dr Lai, Prof Goi, Prof Ewe, Justin Goh, Audrey Foo, Dr Chee and Dr Yong during the group photography session

In line with one of UTAR’s goals to equip students with knowledge on technology advancement, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between UTAR and WISE AI Sdn Bhd at Sungai Long Campus on 2 December 2019.

Signing on behalf of UTAR was its President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, while WISE AI Sdn Bhd was represented by its Co-Founder and Business Director Justin Goh Chee Guan. The signing was witnessed by UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and WISE AI Sdn Bhd Partnership Manager Audrey Foo Sheve Le.

The MoU sought to collaborate on developing and improving the local contents of the AI education as well as to facilitate industrial placement for UTAR students and mutual visits by staff to enhance research and curriculum developments. Both parties agreed to explore possible collaborations to initiate joint projects in research, to share expertise, to facilitate visits, workshops and exchanges, and to promote innovation.

Aside from that, WISE AI will provide outstanding achievement awards of up to RM500 in value for eligible UTAR students or student teams that demonstrate outstanding performance in utilising the WISE AI API in their entries at recognised ICT competitions. Under the MoU, WISE AI will also provide up to a three-month subscription of facial recognition API for free to UTAR students for their final year projects.

Prof Ewe (left) and Justin Goh delivering their speech

Prof Ewe said, “UTAR believes in adopting the university-industry approach to provide opportunities and exposures to students to gain training, practical knowledge as well as experience in the industry while pursuing their studies at the university. A good balance is necessary to ensure that our students graduate with sufficient industry knowledge to be able to contribute positively to the growth and the development of the nation.”

“I also wish to thank WISE AI Sdn Bhd for motivating our students to excel in their studies. WISE AI Sdn Bhd has given outstanding achievement awards of up to RM500 in value for UTAR students or student teams that demonstrate outstanding performance in utilizing the WISE AI API in their entries at recognised ICT competitions. These awards will certainly encourage our students to take greater interests in the subject and excel further,” added Prof Ewe.

Justin Goh said, “I’m thankful for this opportunity to be able to work with UTAR whereby the university and industry can collaborate in the area of identifying talents. In business, we rely on humans as humans are the key when it comes to technology although we are using artificial intelligence (AI). WISE AI focuses on facial recognition technology, a frictionless technology where we don’t need to touch anything but only use our face. Recently, we won two awards representing Malaysia, picked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). From this experience, aside from being proud as a Malaysian that won the awards, we realised that we need to bring more opportunities to Malaysian industry partners and work closely with the universities in terms of research programmes to reach more people in the market.

Also present at the signing ceremony were LKC FES Dr Chee Pei Song, Dr Yong Yoke Leng, Department of Internet Engineering & Computer Science Head Ts Dr B. N. Madhavan, Department of Mechatronics and BioMedical Engineering Head Dr Kwan Ban Hoe and Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn.

Prof Ewe presenting the token of appreciation to Justin Goh (right)