The collaboration between UTAR and ViTrox Academy Sdn Bhd was officially sealed with a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on 12 August 2022 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

Present to sign the MoU were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and ViTrox Academy Principal Dr Low Chee Kong. The witnesses were UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and ViTrox Academy Academic Head Ir Dr Koay Loke Kean. Also present at the signing ceremony were Chong Swit Yie from ViTrox Academy, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, FEGT Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Leong Kah Hon, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, LKC FES Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, as well as Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and Deputy Director Dr Chen I–Chi.

The MoU will mainly facilitate the credit transfer from ViTrox Academy’s diploma programmes to UTAR’s undergraduate programmes, subject to the requirements stated under UTAR policies. The MoUs also aimed to facilitate joint projects involving collaborative research; sharing of expertise and joint development of research; exchange of ideas and facilities among parties, including attachment and mutual visits by staff members to pursue research, curriculum development, and participation in seminars, conferences, and workshops that are relevant to the industry.

Through these MoUs, industrial study visits of UTAR undergraduate and postgraduate students, and mutual visits by staff members of the parties will enable UTAR undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff to gain industrial exposure that will enhance their learning experience, professional development and curriculum development. It would also provide a platform for the students to acquire skills that will give them a competitive advantage in their employment later on.

The MoUs also focused on giving back to the community through various community engagements for better societal contributions. This effort is in line with UTAR’s continuous emphasis on contributing to society as a University by the people, for the people.