A total of 130 industry players were honoured during an appreciation ceremony for their role and contributions to the university’s development and achievements.

The Industry Partner Appreciation Ceremony 2023 (MPRI’23) held biyearly is a platform used by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to further foster networking between the university and industry players.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said the event was held to honour all those involved in enhancing the university’s agenda, including academics.

“MPRI’23 was intended to appreciate and acknowledge industry players that have helped UMT tremendously in carrying out the university’s initiatives for talent enhancement, student development, teaching and learning excellence, as well as research and innovation breakthroughs.

“Also, UMT academics who have made possible the collaboration with the industries were also honoured in the event.

Prof. Mazlan said UMT has implemented various initiatives to ensure the readiness of a highly skilled workforce.

“The industry’s involvement in higher learning institutions is greatly welcomed to help with the efforts of increasing the rate of graduates with premium salaries.

He said the university’s priority is strategic collaborations that aim to solidify operations and technology that will provide benefits and long-term returns to all parties and the country.

“We realize that universities have a big responsibility to help the country produce human capital that is outstanding, very knowledgeable, and highly skilled.

He added that five initiatives on student enhancement have been implemented as added values to student development, namely Smart Logistician Programme, Work Based Learning (WBL) Programme, Integrated PhD (IPhD) Programme, Industry Scholar Appointment, and CEO@Faculty Programme.

UMT has completed 95 projects in collaboration with industry partners through industry research grants amounting to RM7,580,259.98.

At the ceremony, several awards were also presented, including Industry Project Award, Academy-Industry Award, Industry Partner Award, and CEO@Faculty Appreciation.

Those receiving appreciation for the CEO@Faculty category were Datuk Idham Nawawi (CELCOMDIGI BERHAD), Laksamana Pertama (B) Dato’ Ir. (Dr.) Ahmad Murad Omar (OMAHAMS CORPORATION), Marco Neelsen (PELABUHAN TANJUNG PELEPAS SDN BHD), Wan Nadhri Wan Fauzi (BLUE ARCHIPELAGO BERHAD), and Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kassim (former Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport).

Prof. Mazlan also launched the Siswa Mall programme to further encourage students who conduct businesses through eCommerce platforms.

“Siswa Mall is a collaboration programme between UMT and CelcomDigi Berhad aimed at training students to widen their businesses through the use of eCommerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, Ebay, and Etsy.”

He said the implementation is in line with the government’s aspiration of producing student entrepreneurs that possess the traits of competitive digital entrepreneurs who will contribute to the country’s economic stability.

Smart Logistician is a programme implemented in collaboration with PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd. to provide industrial training and employment opportunities to UMT students.

Work Based Learning (WBL) programme is one in which UMT provides modules and academic needs related to academic programmes at the university in collaboration with various parties, such as Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Pelabuhan Kuantan, Salihin, MHNEXUS Sdn Bhd, Uniti Office Sdn Bhd, and other related industries.’

Integrated PhD (IPhD) programme offers industry players in the field of maritime the opportunity to further their studies comprehensively at the Master’s and PhD levels to improve their expertise.

Industry Scholar Appointment is a programme whereby industry players are appointed from various sectors and fields to help the university improve its quality and determine the relevance of courses and academic programmes offered as well as academic activities and community services.

CEO@Faculty Programme 1.0 focuses on the sharing of experience and expertise by figures from the industry and public agencies such as CelomDigi Berhad, Omahams Corporation Sdn Bhd, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn. Bhd., Blue Archipelago Berhad, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport.

Meanwhile, CEO@Faculty Programme 2.0 offers the opportunity for academics and nonacademics to go for an attachment at the industry for six months. The main objective of the programme is to provide a platform that exposes the operations of an industry.

The involved staff will receive personal guidance from the CEOs and will play a role in establishing high-impact industry-university collaborations.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu