JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 13—On November 13, 2024, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) hosted the “FSSH Industry and Academia Meet” at KSL Hotel & Resort in Johor Bahru. This landmark event aimed to foster collaboration and innovation by bringing together academic scholars and industry leaders for insightful discussions, networking, and partnership building.

This initiative supports Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) vision of becoming a “Premier University Providing World-Class Education and Research,” as outlined in the UTM Strategic Plan, enVision 2025. A key priority of this plan is to enhance UTM’s global reputation in research, furthering both national and international goals.

To achieve this vision, the Office of the Deputy Dean (Research, Development, and Innovation) spearheads efforts to elevate the FSSH brand and its impact. These initiatives emphasise emerging knowledge areas and research excellence, emphasising emerging knowledge areas and research excellence, these initiatives focus on strengthening UTM’s capabilities in Research and Development (R&D) and Commercialization and Innovation (C&I). Key strategies include engaging local and international alumni, increasing visibility through industry partnerships, hosting signature events, and promoting technovation programs.

The “FSSH Academia and Industry Meet” served as an effective platform for discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. By connecting academic scholars and industry partners, the event aimed to develop impactful solutions that benefit the community and contribute to national development.

Prof. Ts. Dr. Kamalrulnizam Abu Bakar, Chair of the Smart Digital Community at the Research Alliance, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of collaboration in promoting research and innovation. A key moment of the event was the exchange of a Letter of Agreement (LoA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with esteemed industry partners. One notable agreement was the LoA with Rakyat Trustee Berhad, which solidified a partnership aimed at enhancing academic and research efforts between UTM and Rakyat Trustee Berhad. This LoA establishes a collaborative framework to advance academic initiatives, with Rakyat Trustee Berhad providing a generous research grant to support the project. This financial contribution underscores Rakyat Trustee Berhad’s commitment to fostering innovation in education and research.

UTM and Rakyat Trustee Berhad are set to launch a micro-credential course titled “Modul Perancang Harta Pusaka,” which aims to enhance estate planning standards across Malaysia. This course will provide professionals with essential skills and knowledge in the field, ultimately contributing to improved industry standards and benefiting society.

In a strategic effort to promote child development and special education, UTM has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pusat Pendidikan Hidayah Berhad, a private Islamic institution. This partnership will focus on developing targeted academic programs, specialized research projects, and hands-on training opportunities to address the diverse learning needs of children. A key highlight of this collaboration is the launch of UTM Young Minds, also known as the Pejabat Makmal Penyelidikan Perkembangan dan Psikologi Kanak-Kanak. This new satellite office at the faculty will facilitate activities and training for educators, equipping them with the skills necessary to support children with diverse learning requirements better. This dedicated facility will be a hub for innovative research and development in child psychology and education.

The event marked a significant turning point as the collaboration between academia and industry was celebrated. A special day was dedicated to honoring individuals who made notable contributions to UTM’s advancements in research, development, and innovation. Prof. Ts. Dr. Kamalrulnizam Abu Bakar and Prof. Dr. Arieff Salleh Rosman, the Dean of FSSH, presented tokens of appreciation to various esteemed companies and organizations.

The honorees included CIDB Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Cybersolution Technologies Sdn. Bhd., DF & K Group Sdn. Bhd., Eternal Materials (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Expert Welding Technologies, Hidayah Centre Foundation Johor, Imagine AI Sdn. Bhd., and Johor Port Berhad..

Also recognized were Kolej Vokasional Tanjung Puteri, MedeSeri Edina Sdn. Bhd., PakarHR Sdn. Bhd., Pusat Pendidikan Hidayah Berhad, Rakyat Trustee Berhad, Johor Corporation (JCorp) Foundation and Jom Mahir.

The “FSSH Academia and Industry Meet” underscored the essential role of collaboration between academia and industry in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges. Through panel discussions and networking sessions, the event fostered meaningful exchanges and established new partnerships. The signing of significant agreements, such as the LoA with Rakyat Trustee Berhad and the MoU with Pusat Pendidikan Hidayah Berhad, demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing research, development, and education. The acknowledgment of industry partners with tokens of appreciation further reinforced the importance of these collaborations. This event marked a significant step toward realizing UTM’s vision of becoming a premier institution for world-class education and research.

Source: UTM NewsHub