The collaboration between UTAR and REHAU Polymer Sdn Bhd was substantiated by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties on 24 February 2023 at REHAU, Rehau, Germany.

Present on behalf of UTAR were UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering (CRIE) Chairperson Assoc Prof Ir Dr Chua Kein Huat, and Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) academic Dr Hau Lee Cheun.

From REHAU, the MoU documents were signed by Director of Railway Solution, Asia Pacific Region of REHAU Polymer Sdn Bhd Andrew Chong, and witnessed by Director of Railway Solutions (Commercial) Andy Waechter. Other REHAU representatives also included Director of Industry Dr Ralf Dingeldein, Manager Technical Thomas Deistler, Commercial Manager Andreas Posselt, Senior Product Manager Stefen Degel, Engineers Christian Knevelkamp and Steve Golbs, Product Engineer Julia Seidel, and Sales Support Anne Hinkelmann and Fanny Ebel.

Chong, who was appointed as the industry research advisor at the signing ceremony, had previously visited UTAR in November and December 2022 to discuss on ways to help CRIE develop and grow. Chong is on his ongoing short-term plan to position CRIE as an international name in the South East Asia Region. At the same time, both Chong and Dr Chua had drawn up a three-year plan to make CRIE  the technological gateway for German technology to enter the Asian market. They plan to focus on South East Asia and German markets for the first two years. These intended efforts are in line with the Malaysian government’s aspiration to be a developed nation by creating more high-value jobs for the nation.

 CRIE was also officially nominated to be part of the Selangor Rail Industry Council of Invest Selangor on 19 January 2023. The visit by Chong to UTAR also facilitated discussions with LKC FES and the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) on potential collaborations with REHAU.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Dr Chua and Dr Hau participated in a training on “Power Rail System and Technology Training Course”, organised by REHAU. The training included information on power rail systems, laboratory visits, and equipment tests. Dr Chua and Dr Hau received more insights on the installation and maintenance of the power rail system, gapping study, cover systems, and the development of power rail system. The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was also carried out during the training.