UTAR signs memorandum of understanding with KTMB

From left: Prof Faidz, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Datuk Rani and Suhaimi

UTAR and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 13 January 2023 at the headquarters of KTMB. The main objectives of the MoU were to establish a partnership between UTAR and KTMB, promote research and sharing of knowledge and expertise for joint development in the field of engineering, facilitate the exchange of ideas and discussions, including visits, seminars, and curriculum development, assist with the placement of students who will be undergoing industrial training, and provide training to increase the knowledge of KTMB staff.

Representing UTAR at the ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering (CRIE) Chairperson Assoc Prof Ir Dr Chua Kein Huat, Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD) Director Lim Guat Yen, and DCInterNet Manager Ong Yoon Furn.

Meanwhile, welcoming UTAR at the KTMB headquarters were KTMB Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin, Chief Corporate Officer (CCO) Suhaimi Yaacob, Chief Technical Officer Ir Ahmad Nizam Mohamad Amin and Chief Technical Special Officer Mohd Ramli Mohd Noh.

The delegates at the signing ceremony

At the ceremony, Prof Dato’ Ewe gave a speech, hailing the new partnership between the two parties. He said, “The expertise at KTMB is in line with our programmes under the LKC FES and CRIE, where we promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and create efficient joint research and development projects. With this MoU, we can also ease the exchange of ideas between our students and academics, their access to fully equipped facilities, and study tours in the industry to enhance their learning experience and improve their career development. The MoU will also help us to obtain extra knowledge about the industry, which is important in ensuring our programmes are relevant to the industry’s development, not to mention improving the development of our curriculum.” He added, “We are also thankful to KTMB for giving our students the opportunity to perform study tours and their industrial training at KTMB. It functions as a learning platform to expose our students to knowledge and skills which they can make use of in their future careers.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe giving his speech

Datuk Rani said, “We at KTMB always welcome collaborations and partnerships to share our expertise and research, with the aim of developing and establishing a sustainable cooperation between two parties.”

Datuk Rani delivering a speech

The ceremony reached its peak, with the signing of the MoU by Prof Dato’ Ewe and Datuk Rani. Meanwhile, Prof Faidz and Suhaimi witnessed the signing. Through this MoU, UTAR and KTMB will work together to achieve the objective of producing graduates who are ready to enter the rail industry. Not only that, as a token of appreciation, KTMB offered a 50% discount to all UTAR staff for Electric Train Services (ETS).

Prof Dato’ Ewe (left) and Datuk Rani (right) signing the MoU

The ceremony then ended with a souvenir presentation and a group photography session.

Souvenir exchange between Prof Dato’ Ewe (middle) and Datuk Rani (right)

From left: Dr Faidz, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Datuk Rani and Mr Suhaimi

The representatives from UTAR and KTMB