SIBU: University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd (PMB) yesterday renewed their strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in joint academic and industrial partnership at the former’s premises here.
Signing the MoU on behalf of UTS was its Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab. Hamid while PMB was represented by its Group General Manager Choa Wei Kiong.
The objectives of the MoU, among others, were to develop cooperation in the human capital development and related activities between the two parties.
It was also to mutually develop co-operations in research, innovative activities, needs, industrial problem solving and sharing between the two parties.
Apart from that, it was to establish a mutually beneficial relationship built on academic and industrial cooperation. Areas of cooperation between the UTS and PMB include (but not limited to) the academic programmes, staff and students exchange, and joint research and publications.
Moreover, it was geared at mutually developing pathways and opportunities for UTS students in the employment, job offers and on-job training and career development.
The MoU was also aimed at providing financial aids/scholarships by PMB to UTS students, and to jointly organise or participate in social events of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that are relevant and of interest to both parties.
Speaking at the MoU’s signing ceremony, Choa expressed gratitude to the UTS for providing his side with access to its laboratory facilities, including the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), during the period of 2018-2021.
He said the generous support of UTS was instrumental in enabling his company to conduct product examination and analysis, which in turn helped to improve the quality of their products.
He said the initial MoU between them facilitated the establishment of the recruitment drive programme in 2018.
He pointed out PMB was pleased to have collaborated on this initiative, and believed that the talented individuals produced by the UTS have played a significant role in the success of the Press Metal organisation.
“As we look ahead, our goal is to further strengthen our academic and industrial cooperation through joint research initiatives, CSR activities, internships, and employment opportunities.
“With the end of COVID-19 pandemic, we are all eager to explore the potential for collaborations between UTS and PMB. We would be pleased to hear any ideas and possibilities for academic studies from the UTS community.
“Today, we celebrate this renewed relationship in our continuous pursuit of growth and advancement for both UTS and Press Metal Sarawak Operations,” Choa added.
Among those present were UTS’s deputy vice-chancellor Prof Ir Dr Mohd Shahril Osman, PMB’s deputy general manager Low Kwong Fei and PMB’s chief human resources officer Andrew Chan.
