Enhancing technology ecosystem! University of Nottingham Malaysia and Pikom renews collaboration!

The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) and The National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom) announced the renewal and expansion of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop industry-academia collaboration that aims to enhance Malaysia’s technology ecosystem. 

The MoU was first signed in 2020 for Global Business Services (GBS), and this MoU renewal will see both parties extend their partnership to collaborate on several initiatives covering the entire ICT industry represented by Pikom in tandem with the rise of the digital economy in Malaysia. 

The MOU was signed at the University of Nottingham Malaysia campus in Semenyih on 15 August 2023 by UNM Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Dr Hazel Melanie Ramos and Pikom Chairman, Ong Chin Seong. 

Through this renewed MoU, both UNM and Pikom intend to expand their collaboration on several initiatives beyond Global Business Services, such as: 

• Collaborative planning to enhance academic standards, curriculum design, and development
• Developing talent through joint programs, guest lectures, executive education, internship, and training placements
• Promoting innovation through research and development to promote innovation in Malaysia 
• Leveraging both parties' areas of expertise for knowledge exchange and making available facilities and resources for the purpose of technology ecosystem development and advisory representation in Malaysia

Dr Ramos said: “We are excited to continue our partnership with Pikom to further promote industry-academia collaboration. 

"As one of the leading higher education institutions, we are always looking at innovative ways to expose our students to learning beyond the classroom. 

"Through this partnership, we aim to contribute to the technology industry which ultimately helps to promote Malaysia as a technological hub, leading to further develop the Malaysian technology ecosystem that is conducive for business investments across diverse industries.”

Ong shared: “Pikom’s vision is to support the government’s goal of Digital Economy contributing 25.5% to the nation's GDP by the year 2025. 

"This number could be greater if we are able to boost the digital readiness of our graduates to support the industry at a faster rate. 

"As such, it is only right for Pikom to directly approach and collaborate with higher Institutions such as University of Nottingham Malaysia. 

"UNM is the leading UK university in Malaysia, and its knowledge and expertise are invaluable to our efforts to develop the tech talents and the industry ecosystem”.

In addition, Dr Mandy Sim, Associate Professor in Services at UNM, was appointed as an Advisor on Pikom’s Talent Gap Committee. 

In this role, Dr Sim will assist in bridging the talent gap for the industry and oversee the placements of interns from universities and contribute to the development of other talent programs as part of this partnership. 

Being the strategic industry partner to UNM and Pikom, MDEC will serve as a pivotal link, facilitating and fostering industry-academia collaboration between UNM and Pikom.

Since beginning their partnership in 2020, both UNM and Pikom have held numerous discussions and initiatives with some notable activities such as the launch of UNM-Pikom Academia-Industry Internship Collaboration (PIIP) to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the industry and potential collaborations with Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman on making an impact on underprivileged students for higher education. - KitaReporters/Media Release