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Heriot-Watt University Malaysia inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) today, paving the way for strategic collaboration and recognising the previous engagements between the two parties.
The MoU signalled the beginning of a five-year partnership which is aimed at offering opportunities for students and staff members of the University to gain invaluable industry insights and expertise from prominent engineering professionals in the country.
The MoU also cemented staff contributions as Chairs and Committee members at various technical divisions and student competitions that has been done over past years. This is in line with its endeavours to nurture a competent pool of engineering talents who are able to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution and beyond.
The MoU was signed by key representatives of each organisation, namely Ir. David Lai Kong Phooi, President, and Ir. Mohd Khir bin Muhammad, Honorary Secretary, from IEM as well as Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost & Chief Executive Officer, and Janice Yew, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer, from Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.
According to the MoU, IEM agrees to:
- recommend experts to deliver lectures, courses or seminars to Heriot-Watt University Malaysia students and lecturers
- allocate 30% of the total membership fees collected from Heriot-Watt University Malaysia for the Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Student Section and other activities for the benefit of the society
- provide Jurutera, its monthly magazine, to the Student Section to enable them to receive updates on IEM courses and new technologies in the engineering.
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, on the other hand, will:
- provide a venue for activities by their Student Section or IEM members
- assist in the recruitment of its Engineering students and engineer staff members to IEM
- and allocate a slot for IEM to meet and speak to its graduating students on route to obtaining their IEM membership.
Other areas of cooperation include joint research and consultancy activities in various academic and professional fields, joint organisation of related events such as seminars and academic meetings and exchange of academic materials and other information.
Professor Mushtak expressed his appreciation for the partnership, affirming his confidence that not only both parties but also the industry as a whole will benefit from this endeavour.
He said: "At Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, we are committed to working closely with the relevant professional bodies and industry players to ensure that we produce graduates who are ready to create a more enabling future for all."
During the event, Ir. David Lai Kong Phooi also gave a talk to the University's Foundation students on the potentials of a career in engineering. This was followed by a short Q&A session.
According to Ir. David Lai Kong Phooi, as at June 1, the institution has over 37,000 graduate and student members out of a total of 50,470 members.
He said: "IEM continues to involve and empower young engineers to take the lead and prepare them to take on future leadership roles. With the signing of MoUs with institutions of higher learning, IEM hopes to provide opportunities for students and lecturers to join IEM so as to harness their abilities to face challenges in their future career.
"I have full confidence that the engineering students, lecturers and young engineers of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia will strive hard, not only to achieve their individual goals but also to make the world a better place."