KUCHING: The Sarawak Manufacturers’ Association (SMA) and the Faculty of Business and Management at UCSI University Sarawak Campus have formalised a partnership to strengthen talent development and closer ties between industry and academia in support of Sarawak’s manufacturing sector.
The memorandum of uderstanding (MoU), signed recently, aims to create greater opportunities for students, academics and manufacturers to work together through knowledge sharing and industry engagement.
SMA president Peter Chai Mui Seng described the partnership as the beginning of a new chapter between both organisations.
“We hope this MoU will be translated into meaningful initiatives and we also look forward to extending the benefits of this collaboration to all SMA members throughout Sarawak,” he said.
SMA secretary general Stephen Ang Teck Chai said the partnership would provide a valuable platform to develop a skilled and future ready workforce by better aligning academic learning with industry needs.
“The partnership opens opportunities in areas such as student internships, graduate employability, professional development, collaborative projects and knowledge sharing.
“By working more closely together, we can better align academic learning with industry needs while providing our member companies with greater access to emerging talent and academic expertise,” he said.
He added that SMA looks forward to working with UCSI University Sarawak Campus to implement practical initiatives that will benefit students, manufacturers and the wider business community.
Meanwhile, UCSI University Sarawak Campus Pro-Vice Chancellor Mukvinder Kaur Sandhu said the partnership reflects the university’s practical education model, which integrates classroom learning with real world industry experience.
“Through this collaboration with SMA, our students gain exposure to real manufacturing challenges, equipping them with the practical skills and insights to contribute to Sarawak’s economic growth,” she said.
According to a statement, the partnership is expected to strengthen workforce development, encourage innovation and foster closer links between manufacturers and higher education institutions as Sarawak continues to expand its industrial capabilities.
