Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and TF AMD Microelectronics (Penang) Sdn Bhd (TF AMD) conducted a virtual ceremony for the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) via Zoom on 5 February 2021. The MoU and memorandum of agreement (MoA) were signed digitally on 4 December 2020 and 18 December 2020 respectively.
With the signing of this MoU, UTAR and TF AMD will officially begin their strategic partnership to initiate joint projects or researches on automated robotics technology, staff, and student exchanges, study visits, industrial placement opportunities, co-supervision of postgraduate studies and etcetera. The MoU will enable both parties to work even more closely in creating platforms that will enrich both staff and students’ academic experience, as well as empowering them to explore learning opportunities beyond the classrooms.
The signatories for the MoU were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and TF AMD Managing Director Neoh Soon Ee. It was witnessed by UTAR R&D and Commercialisation Vice President Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman and ATMP Engineering and Factory Automation Engineering Senior Manager Tai Ewe Shin.
Also present at the virtual ceremony were Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Senior Deputy Director Noor Suziyanti Saad, MIDA Assistant Director Ahmad Tarmizi Ab Aziz, TF AMD Factory Automation Engineering Manager Ng Woon Ji, Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research Director Dr Yong Thian Khok, Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNet) Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, DCInterNet Deputy Director of Kampar Campus Dr Chen I-Chi, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Dean Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, LKC FES R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Deputy Dean Ts Dr Yap Wun She, LKC FES Head of Mechatronics and BioMedical Engineering Department Dr Kwan Ban Hoe, UTAR staff and distinguished guests from TF AMD and MIDA.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Ewe thanked TF AMD for the research grant and said, “I would first welcome TF AMD Mr Neoh and MIDA for joining us at this virtual ceremony. I would like to thank Mr Neoh for this collaboration and thank you for your research grant of RM404,250.00 for UTAR to undertake this collaborative research project in automated robotics technology.”
He added, “This is a good opportunity for both parties to come together to share knowledge and expertise for a win-win partnership on this research project together. This is also our University’s initiative to collaborate with the industry on projects so that our staff and students are updated on industry needs and at the same time, we can share and exchange resources as the way forward.
“Such collaborations also enrich our staff and students’ educational experience which is crucial and invaluable as part of university education and especially for students seeking employment later.”
“We are in this fourth industrial revolution and the emergence of AI post a lot of challenges to the industry and also higher education sector, therefore we have to work together with the industry to make sure our students are trained to meet the demand of the market and at the same time get our staff involved in joint collaboration and research,” Professor Ewe explained.
We are thankful to TF AMD for the opportunity of allowing our students to be attached to them for industrial placements and study visits because this will help our students gain the necessary real-life skills, experience, and knowledge required for their employment later on. And also not to forget MIDA for all the support to the university,” Professor Ewe emphasized.
On the other hand, Neoh enthused, “We are very glad and excited to have this collaboration with UTAR. I looked forward to having a successful partnership and we are very glad to support and sponsor UTAR in the automated robotics technology project. This project is very important and if this is successful, we would love to use it in our production floor as one of the advanced automation features.”
He added, “I would also like to thank MIDA, the government’s principal agency for their support. MIDA is Malaysia’s cutting-edge, dynamic and pioneering force in opening pathways to new frontiers around the globe and assists companies that intend to invest in the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as facilitating the implementation of their projects”The wide ranges of services provided by MIDA include providing information on the opportunities for investments, as well as facilitating companies which are looking for joint venture partners.
“TF AMD with the assistance of MIDA will continue to help and grow the local establishment such as local universities or local industries and from there we will be growing together,” Professor Ewe concluded.