KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is focused on developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with renowned institutions worldwide. Recently, UTM hosted a visit from the PPG IT Council (PPG) to enhance academic and research collaboration in the field of computing. The PPG delegation, led by Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mr. Bhaskar Ramachandran, aims to strengthen and promote collaboration between the two parties.
The visit was overseen by the Director of Industry Relations at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Sharil Abdullah. Delegations from UTM, PPG, and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) were also present to witness the event. In his speech, Dato’ Dr. Mohd Sharil stated, “The dynamic partnership between UTM and PPG exemplifies dedication in creating a talent pipeline prepared to tackle real-world challenges and propel Malaysia’s digital transformation, particularly in critical areas such as AI, automation, and big data.”
In conjunction with the visit, PPG ITC had the opportunity to visit the research lab and showcase. Additionally, over 100 UTM students engaged in an industry seminar conducted by PPG.
Bhaskar said, “The visit to UTM was an excellent opportunity to strengthen our partnership with academia, inspire the next generation of IT professionals, and see first-hand the cutting-edge research and innovation happening in our field. These engagements are vital in bridging the gap between education and real-world technology challenges and highlighting the importance of industry-academic connections.”
The UTM-PPG smart partnership was established in 2019 through MDEC. The collaboration focuses on data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, SAP, infrastructure, and cloud development. Initiatives implemented by both parties include talent development programs, curriculum support via industry advisory panels, and sponsorship of targeted student activities.
In addition to this initiative between UTM and PPG, the collaboration will further enhance both parties’ global prominence.
In 2018, PPG established its Malaysia Global Technology Centre to support its various businesses worldwide, driving transformative solutions and fostering collaboration. Since its inception, the technological hub has grown from 25 information technology (IT) professionals to more than 160 employees across different IT functions.
About UTM: https://www.utm.my/
About PPG: https://www.ppg.com/en-US
PPG Industries, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 company and a global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in over 70 countries worldwide. It is the largest coatings company in the world in terms of revenue, followed by Sherwin-Williams.
Source: UTM NewsHub