UTAR expands its industrial collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TNB Research Sdn Bhd on 26 October 2022 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

The MoU was signed by Managing Director of TNB Research Sdn Bhd Dr Mohd Hariffin bin Boosroh and UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, and witnessed by General Manager for Generation and Environment of TNB Research Sdn Bhd Ir Dr Hazha bin Abdul Hamid and UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong.

Also present at the signing ceremony were five research teams from TNB Research Sdn Bhd as well as Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, LKC FES Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, Centre for Power Systems and Electricity Chairperson Ir Prof Dr Lim Yun Seng, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Deputy Dean Dr Lo Po Kim, Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, DCInterNet Deputy Director Dr Chen I-Chi, Faculty Heads of Departments, Faculty Heads of Programmes, and UTAR staff.

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “On behalf of UTAR, I would like to express my gratitude to TNB Research Sdn Bhd for giving us this opportunity to explore collaborations in the fields of smart grid technology; renewable energy and low carbon energy systems; energy storage applications; energy and carbon management strategies; electric vehicles, and material research. The expertise from TNB Research Sdn Bhd is also in line with our programmes under the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology and Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science which will facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as establish collaborative research and development projects.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe also explained, “Under this MoU, we will also be able to facilitate exchanges of ideas and facilities, as well as industrial study visits of our students and staff, which is important for enhancing their learning experience and professional development. This will also enable us to gain insights into the industry, which is important for ensuring that our programmes remain relevant to the advances of the industry, and improving our curriculum development. We are also thankful to TNB Research Sdn Bhd for the opportunity to allow our students to be attached to your company for industrial placements and study visits. This will be a good learning platform for our students to gain the necessary real-life skills, experience and knowledge required for their employment later on. In addition to that, UTAR would also like to thank TNB Research Sdn Bhd for allowing our staff members to be attached for mutual visits to pursue research and curriculum development, and to participate in seminars, conferences and workshops that are relevant to the industry. This is indeed a great opportunity for our staff members to strengthen their teaching knowledge/experience and professional development.”

Dr Mohd Hariffin said, “In one of our recent meetings, we discussed the importance of incorporating human values in technologies so that we can produce technological products and venues for the community. Universities are important to produce students and scholars, who are not only good at technical thinking, but also enriched with human values. We are involved in many energy projects that have big impacts on the environment and communities. We also involved communities in the hydro projects, so that they benefit from the development. Collaborations are important in research; today’s collaboration shows that we are capable of harnessing the available resources. I hope a meaningful outcome can be produced from this collaboration and I look forward to more partnerships in the areas mentioned earlier. We are in the position to grow together as a nation.”

Followed after was a short discussion between the parties and a tour around UTAR Kampar Campus and UTAR Hospital.