KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 13 members of the University-Industry Advisory Council (MPUI) contributed innovative ideas aimed at enhancing staff, student engagement, research initiatives, and academic development for the next two years.
Discussions focused on digital innovation, technological expertise, artificial intelligence (AI), business, law, and opportunities for industry professionals to join as educators in postgraduate programmes.
Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, the Vice-Chancellor, thanked all MPUI members for attending the meeting and noted that the university management had successfully implemented the suggestions from last year.
According to him, the focus of this discussion was on strategic planning until 2026, with the aim of fostering collaboration between industry and universities to enhance all aspects, including staff development in the mastery of emerging technologies.
He said that UUM anticipates a greater number of perspectives and suggestions to be presented to enable the university to move forward.
“This year, UUM aims to engage the industry in co-authoring the journal alongside staff and students, fostering stronger relations between the two parties while contributing valuable data to the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA),” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd., Dato’ Seri (Dr) Michael Tio, said that UUM’s initiative to place students in the CEO programme with his company is a commendable decision, as it provides them with invaluable real-life experience prior to graduation.
As for Mr. Kamal Ariffin Khamarudin from AGM Industry Expert Section Division Product & Innovations, TM One, stated that currently most industries prioritise professional certificates when seeking prospective employees, as the acquisition of new skills is vital for advancing the industry, especially in the field of cyber security.
“Today, it is not merely about talent; the industry demands a workforce that has specific skills essential for them to work in it,” he said.
Among the MPUI members present were the Chief Executive Officer of PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd., Dato’ Seri (Dr) Michael Tio; President of the Chamber of Zainul Rijal, Dato’ Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar; Founder of AKRAB Resources Sdn. Bhd., Raja Azura Raja Mahayuddin; and AGM Industry Expert Section Division Product & Innovations, TM One, Mr. Kamal Ariffin Khamarudin.
Also in attendance were the Vice President of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), Mr. Mohd Farid Shah Mohd Basir; Vice President of Mercy Malaysia, Mr. Razi Pahlavi Abdul Aziz; Chief Executive Officer of CBP Coopbank Pertama, Khairil Anuar Mohammad Anuar; Chief Executive Officer of Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) Selangor, Mr. Ts Saipolyazan M. Yusop; and Chief Executive Officer of AMRACE Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Naguib Mohd Nor.
The Senior Director of Government Digitalization Division, Payments Network Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PayNet), Mr. Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Ghani; Chairman of Redtech Offshore Sdn. Bhd., Datuk Md. Nizam Md. Sheriff; Chief Executive Officer of Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), Mr. Thomas Mathew; and Executive Director of THB Power Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Liew Seong Yan, were also present at the event.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed; Director of CUIC, Prof. Dr Chandrakantan Subramaniam; and Deans of schools and postgraduate schools were also in attendance.
