UTAR signs pacts with PESDC and Murata

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU), one with Perak Entrepreneur & Skills Development Centre (PESDC) and the other with Murata Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd, at UTAR Perak Campus on 22 July 2011.

UTAR is a not-for-profit private university in Malaysia. PESDC, a training centre registered under Society Act 1966, provides skills and management training and promotes entrepreneurial development to meet the needs of manufacturing industries in Perak. Murata Electronics Malaysia, a leading electronics manufacturer that has facilities in Batu Gajah, Perak.

The first MoU was signed by UTAR President Ir Professor Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik and PESDC Chairman Dato' Gan Tack Kong. UTAR Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Ir Chan Cheong Loong and PESDC Vice Chairman Dato' Lim Si Boon signed as witnesses.

The second MoU was signed by UTAR President Ir Professor Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Murata Electronics Malaysia Managing Director Yoshihiro Tanaka. UTAR Vice President (R&D and Commercialisation) Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei and Murata Electronics Malaysia General Manager Dr Wong Yik Ming signed as witnesses.

Present to witness the signing was Perak State Executive Councillor Dato' Dr Mah Hang Soon.

Under the MoU, UTAR would work together with its partners on areas such as industrial research, skills and management training, entrepreneurial development, course development, staff exchange, internship and employment opportunities for UTAR students.

"The smart partnerships of UTAR with PESDC and with Murata will contribute towards the success of Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme in general, and the Perak Maju 2015 plan in particular," said Prof Academician Chuah, stressing the impacts the partnerships would bring.

"The support from a higher education institution such as UTAR as our strategy partner for innovative training and knowledge transfer is crucial for us to gain public confidence as a reliable training provider for both soft and hard skills," said Dato' Gan, citing a reason for partnering with UTAR.

Tanaka said that to expand and strengthen their company, they would need talented people and added, "We would like to support educating the students as much as possible through collaborating with UTAR."

"I believe the close academia and industry collaborations formed today will contribute significantly to the state government's commitment to bring peace, stability, progress and development to Perak," said Dato' Dr Mah, adding that he was certain that the three parties would have long-lasting and fruitful partnerships.

Documents exchanged between UTAR and PESDC (from left): Dato' Lim, Dato' Gan, Dato' Dr. Mah, Prof. Academician Chuah, and Ir Chan

Documents exchanged between UTAR and Murata (from left): Dr. Wong, Yoshihiro Tanaka, Dato' Dr. Mah, Prof. Academician Chuah and Prof. Lee