Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has been actively pursuing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several agencies in recent weeks, all part of a concerted effort to harness expertise and technology for mutual and broader benefits.
UMT has recently entered a significant MoU with a key agency within the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives. This marks the establishment of a strategic partnership to champion entrepreneurship sustainability within higher education institutions. This agency serves as the central coordinating body responsible for implementing development programmes that support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various government ministries and entities.
This MoU signifies a concerted effort to nurture entrepreneurship interest among UMT students and staff. Notably, UMT has already made strides in this area, with multiple startup initiatives launched by UMT academics under the guidance of the university’s Innovation and Commercialization Centre (ICC) since 2021.
In another noteworthy development, UMT has entered into a collaborative agreement with an international institution. This MoU spans various facets of collaboration, encompassing academic cooperation, the joint offering of academic programmes, collaborative research efforts, consultative initiatives, student exchange programmes, and faculty knowledge-sharing endeavours.
The primary goal of this collaboration is to enhance both institutions’ standing as leaders in the field of maritime engineering technology. Furthermore, the long-term vision encompasses the development and launch of a dual-degree programme that would combine the strengths of both institutions, providing students with a comprehensive educational experience.
UMT’s commitment to nurturing talent and advancing technology is also evident in the renewal of an existing MoU with a prominent entity. This renewed partnership will continue to focus on talent development, research and development initiatives, and the exchange of expertise in specialised fields. Over the past five years, UMT and this entity have successfully delivered programmes offering students invaluable work-based learning opportunities, internships, and industry exposure.
Additionally, UMT graduates who have benefited from this partnership have gone on to become integral members of the workforce, being groomed for leadership roles in their respective fields.
Expanding its reach beyond the maritime sector, UMT has also ventured into the domain of agriculture and food security through an MOU with a government department. This collaboration centres around agriculture, food security, farming practices, and agribusiness, particularly in a region known for its agricultural significance.
As this partnership evolves, it is expected to extend into other strategic areas, potentially yielding substantial socio-economic benefits for the local population.
The Vice Chancellor of the university emphasised UMT’s readiness to share its research findings and technological innovations, particularly in fields related to fisheries, aquaculture, and agriculture. This underscores UMT’s commitment to leveraging technology and research for the greater good of the nation.
These recent MOUs highlight UMT’s dedication to leveraging expertise and technology for the advancement of entrepreneurship, technology, and agriculture. These collaborations hold the promise of creating a positive ripple effect within Malaysia and beyond. As technology evolves, UMT’s commitment to innovation and collaboration positions it as a key player in addressing contemporary challenges and driving progress in various sectors.
By collaborating with key agencies and international partners, UMT aligns with the government’s vision of nurturing entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development, especially within higher education institutions. This resonates with the government’s drive to empower SMEs and promote innovation in various sectors. Furthermore, UMT’s engagement with international institutions underscores Malaysia’s commitment to global cooperation and knowledge exchange, in line with the government’s efforts to position the country as a regional hub for education and technology.