Eupe and UTAR sign MoU to advance innovation in green building materials and industry-academic collaboration

UTAR and Eupe Corporation Berhad (Eupe) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 7 July 2025 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The MoU aims to explore innovative practices and products for sustainable building within Malaysia’s property development industry.

The agreement paves the way for both parties to collaborate on joint research, skills development, and real-world projects focused on advancing environmentally responsible building practices in Malaysia.

Under the MoU, UTAR will share insights from its ongoing and previous research into green and sustainable building materials that may benefit from further financial or industry support. Both parties also plan to explore opportunities to co-develop sustainable materials suitable for mass production. Additionally, the collaboration will offer UTAR students internship opportunities at Eupe, enabling them to contribute to real-life sustainable building practices and projects.

The MoU was signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Eupe Group Chief Operating Officer Mr Tan Ming Siang. It was witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and Eupe People & Culture Senior Manager Mr Chin Wai Hong.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Eupe Project Deputy General Manager Mr Jazz Law, People & Culture Manager Ms Jane Lee, Corporate Communications Manager Mr Daniel Sim, Corporate Communications Executive Mr Tristan Wong Yue Meng and staff Ms Hazwani Mustapha.

UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dean Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, Head of Department of Architecture and Sustainable Design Ts Dr Tan Kok Hong, Department of Civil Engineering Academic Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Yew Ming Kun, and Office of International Affairs Senior Assistant Managers Ms Chin Sau Lai and Ms Wang Yiling.

Mr Tan said the collaboration reflects Eupe’s long-term commitment to driving new sustainability innovation through strategic partnerships. “We’re excited to work with a forward-thinking institution like UTAR to help the property sector build a pipeline of talent and ideas that can shape more sustainable ways of building,” he said.

“This partnership will allow Eupe to tap into a strong academic knowledge base while offering students valuable experience in how the latest sustainability thinking can be incorporated into real-world projects,” he added.

Prof Dato’ Ewe said that the MoU aligns with UTAR’s commitment to delivering a holistic, industry-relevant education to its students. “Collaborating with industry players like Eupe allows our students and researchers to translate their academic knowledge into practical applications that benefit both the community and the environment,” he said.

He continued, “This partnership is essential in preparing the next generation of engineers and architects to become effective problem-solvers and champions of sustainability.”

The partnership is set to run for an initial period of three years, with both parties expressing their intent to deepen the collaboration over time through joint workshops, advisory activities, curriculum development and other mutually beneficial initiatives.