Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) is partnering with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) to advance rail transport education and research. This collaboration was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony held at the UTHM campus in Batu Pahat, Johor, as announced in a recent press release.
This initiative represents a significant milestone for Sarawak Metro's Socio-Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) program, aimed at establishing a center of excellence in promoting the green public transport sector in Sarawak. It underscores the program's commitment to fostering partnerships with higher education institutions across the country.
Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa explained that the initiative was part of the company’s commitment towards nurturing skilled manpower resources as well as driving innovation and excellence in the transportation sector. “This partnership is a significant step towards advancing education and research in rail transportation", he said.
“By integrating academic knowledge with practical industry experiences, we aim to equip the future professionals in Sarawak with the skills necessary to contribute to the evolving transport sector”, said Mazli, who represented Sarawak Metro at the event, which was held during UTHM’s Faculty of Engineering Technology’s inaugural Industry Appreciation Ceremony.
The collaboration between Sarawak Metro and UTHM seeks to create a mutually advantageous partnership that will provide staff and students with access to industry expertise, equipment, and tools. It also aims to promote the sharing of technical knowledge and foster joint research in transportation and engineering technology. The collaboration will also emphasize strategic human resource development to create job opportunities and strengthen local expertise and capacity in the transportation sector, with a particular focus on Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicles.
