By Dr. Ahmad Fayas Ahmad Najib, Faculty of Maritime Studies

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) recently collaborated with an industry player in a programme aimed to strengthen university–industry collaboration while preparing students with the professional competencies and practical exposure required by Malaysia’s maritime and logistics industry.

UMT’s Faculty of Maritime Studies (FMS) and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) co-organised the PTP x UMT: Bridge the Gap – From Campus to Career & PTP Internship Pitching Competition 2026 on 1–2 July at UMT.

The highlight of the programme was the PTP Internship Pitching Competition, which involved 20 Bachelor of Maritime Management students competing in 10 teams. Each team was assigned one of 10 maritime industry case studies and was required to analyse the issues, identify the underlying problems, and propose practical solutions and recommendations before a panel of judges from PTP.

Rather than focusing solely on technical knowledge, the competition was designed to assess students’ communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, professionalism, and confidence, in line with the event’s objective of identifying candidates with the attributes needed to succeed in the workplace.

The competition recognised outstanding performances through cash prizes and plaques, with RM750 awarded to the champion, and RM500, RM300, RM200, and RM100 to second until fifth places. Participants also received Certificates of Participation from PTP in recognition of their commitment and professionalism.

Five teams were selected to undergo a six-month internship programme at PTP, with the opportunity to be considered for future employment. 

An industry sharing session, “Bridge the Gap – From Campus to Career”, was delivered by Ts. Dr. MK Farhan, Head of Capability Development, and Mr. Ridzuan B. Abdul Ghani, Head of Cargo Planning, Port Planning Operation Division, from PTP. Students gained valuable insights about current developments in the port industry, career opportunities, and the competencies expected of future maritime professionals. They also had the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and gain a better understanding of workplace expectations.

Participants described the experience as an excellent platform to apply classroom knowledge to real industry scenarios while improving their presentation and analytical skills. The opportunity to receive direct feedback from experienced industry professionals further enhanced their understanding of employer expectations and career readiness.

PTP representatives also expressed their appreciation for the quality of presentations and the enthusiasm demonstrated by the students throughout the competition. The programme showcased the value of integrating academic learning with industry practice and reaffirmed the importance of collaborative initiatives in developing future maritime professionals.