IN this fast-paced digitalisation era, industry-academia partnerships and collaborations are pivotal in developing research and a qualified workforce.Cognisant of this, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) through its Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) came together with GDEX Berhad to launch the GDEX Technovate Lab at the UTAR Kampar Campus recently.
Aimed at promoting technological advancements and innovations between industry and academia, the lab would enable UTAR students to acquire knowledge and skills in the fields of information technology (IT) and logistics, a press release read.
In his speech at the launching ceremony held on June 12, UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat said partnering with established companies or experts in specific fields can provide valuable insights, best practices, and access to cutting-edge technologies.
“This enables us to enhance our capabilities, address challenges more effectively, and stay up to date with the latest industry trends,” he said.
He added that logistics play a crucial role in today’s online world, where e-commerce and digital services have become increasingly prevalent.
“Simultaneously, digitalisation has also brought about an increase in cyber threats, making robust cybersecurity measures crucial. Through the projects, final year projects (FYP), lab practicals, and research activities conducted at the lab, our students will be able to acquire knowledge and skills in key technological areas to improve logistics,” he said.
GDEX managing director and group chief executive officer Teong Teck Lean said since inking the memorandum of understanding (MoU) last year, both parties had collaborated through a CEO talk with UTAR students, an internship programme, visits to the facilities at GDEX, as well as training.
“The needs of human capital specialising in IT continue to grow. We hope the GDEX Technovate Lab will facilitate discussions among UTAR academics to explore potential research areas in the fields of IT and logistics. Some of the potential research discussions that have been outlined are smart warehouses and RFID, among others,” he said.
He added that plans are in the pipeline for the joint effort of both parties to explore opportunities in cybersecurity, with the support of GDEX’s subsidiary Anon Security.
GDEX Berhad Chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim said in the area of technology, collaborations not only lead to the creation of new products and services, but also the identification of new areas for further research and development.
“Empirical evidence suggests that it was universities, with their advanced research capabilities and engagement in cutting-edge explorations, that added new insights and possibilities.
“It was also proven that partnerships with industry can add value to these new discoveries. Collaborations and partnerships with the private sector will lead to the commercialisation of those insights and possibilities. These collaborations will translate into practical products and services that can benefit businesses, societies, and the nation,” he said.
He added that academia will also benefit from the private sector industry partnership, where university students can have access to the latest technologies and tools, and gain real-life experiences from industry experts.
“All these will close the gap between academic knowledge and practical applications, which will enable students to prepare for their future careers,” he said.
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