MELAKA: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), in collaboration with the Nanjing University of Industry Technology (NJUIT) in China, is set to establish the Admiral Cheng Ho College here as part of a major joint academic initiative.
UTeM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin said the proposed college is one of the key components agreed upon under a memorandum of understanding signed between both institutions on Tuesday (Nov 18).
NJUIT was represented by its director Dr Guo Yundong.
"The establishment of Admiral Cheng Ho College is among the main priorities we will be pursuing together, and this agenda will undoubtedly strengthen the already robust strategic ties between China and Malaysia," she told The Star on Wednesday (Nov 19).
Massila said the collaboration is expected to not only deepen academic linkages but also generate economic and investment impact between both countries, particularly in industries that cut across global borders.
She said the cooperation will centre on critical high-demand areas including e-commerce, supply chain and logistics management, electrical and electronic engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicle (EV) technologies, and aerospace technology.
Massila added that UTeM and NJUIT have also agreed to advance academic cooperation and knowledge exchange in teaching, research and innovation.
"Among the planned activities are lecturer and student exchange programmes for agreed durations, joint organisation of academic and professional activities and exchanges involving researchers, scientists, and technical experts," she said.
Massila noted that both universities are also committed to collaborative teaching and research across engineering, management, economics and related disciplines.
"In addition, UTeM and NJUIT aim to develop talent through industry-aligned training programmes carried out together with industry partners in both countries," she added.
Massila said the college project will be coordinated by UTeM’s Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship, led by its dean, Prof Dr Mohd Syaiful Rizal Abdul Hamid, and his team.
