A group of delegates from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) visited UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 17 February 2020. Led by UMT Centre for Knowledge Transfer and Industrial Training Networks Director Prof Madya Dr Mohd Nizam bin Lani, the group consisted of Centre for Knowledge Transfer and Industrial Training Networks Deputy Director Dr Zuha Rosufila binti Abu Hassan, Faculty of Business, Economy and Social Development Senior Lecturer Dr Zaleha binti Mohamad and Centre for Knowledge Transfer and Industrial Training Networks Assistant Registrar Muhd Nurazuar bin Mohammad Razmi.

The delegates were welcomed by UTAR R&D and Commercialisation Vice President Prof Ts Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research Director Assoc Prof Dr Yong Thian Khok, Centre for Corporate & Community Development Director Lim Guat Yen, Head of Programme for Master of Information Systems-cum-E-Commerce Mentor Dr Wong Whee Yen, Consultancy and Commercialisation Head Ching Yen Choon, Unovate Centre Head Lee Yan Yin and Soft Skills Competency Sungai Long Campus Head Fook Oi Yee.

In his opening remark, Prof Faidz welcomed and thanked UMT for taking the time to visit UTAR despite their busy schedule. The meeting focused on discussing e-commerce collaboration, so Prof Faidz took the opportunity to invite the delegates to visit the Kampar Campus to have further discussion on R&D projects like the aquaculture sustainability project.

Prof Madya, on the other hand, showed his interest in fostering a relationship with UTAR. He hoped that the meeting outcome will be a fruitful one and that both parties will be able to put to work what they have discussed to avoid wastage of resources.   

The discussion then began with Dr Wong giving an overall introduction to UTAR E-commerce Project in his presentation titled “Shaping the development of E-commerce in Malaysia: How Does UTAR Grooms E-commerce Talents in Education and Industry Societal Impact.” Dr Wong displayed the timeline of the progress of e-commerce projects in UTAR and said that UTAR will be expanding the New Village E-Commerce Project to more potential villages around Malaysia in the future. According to him, the programme had aided in boosting the products of the local villages through the e-commerce platform. The products ranged from soy sauce to coffee, snacks and many more. Some of the products were redesigned to upgrade the packaging through the assistance of UTAR students to increase the market value of the products.

The next presentation was carried out by Prof Madya. He explained the background of UMT and shared the projects they have carried out and industry networks they have established all throughout these years. It was followed by the presentation of Entrepreneur Development by Lee from Unovate Centre.

During the meeting, Prof Faidz also suggested some potential areas of collaboration that would benefit both parties. Other possible areas of collaboration were also brought up by both parties during the meeting, which included a knowledge transfer programme, new village collaborative project, students and staff exchange, training and study tour. 

A souvenir exchange session between Prof Faidz and Prof Madya took place. It was followed by a tour to e-commerce booth, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering & Science (LKC FES) Robotics & Automation laboratory and group photography session before the meeting adjourned.