Curtin Sarawak establishes partnerships with MDeC and Agilent Technologies

Miri – 13 November 2013 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), the largest international campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University, has established key partnerships for training and development with the Multimedia Development Corporation Sendirian Berhad (MDeC) and Agilent Technologies Sales (M) Sendirian Berhad.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the two bodies were exchanged at a Mou Exchange Ceremony held at the university’s campus today.

The event also saw the launch of ‘SAINS on Wheels’, an initiative by MDeC to deliver science/IT workshops to a targeted 200 rural secondary school students in Miri Division in collaboration with Curtin Sarawak, Agilent Technologies, DreamCatcher, ATM Solutions and the Samling Group of Companies. ‘SAINS’ is the acronym for ‘Science in Action Inspiring the Next Scientist’ and the project is initiated through Agilent Technologies’ iCIPTA, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme created to empower young Malaysians to adopt  science and technology through a structured mentoring programme.

MDeC coordinates, promotes and develops the ICT industry and selected services in Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia (MSC Malaysia) and the country. Its MSC Malaysia MyProCert Program is a one-stop catalytic programme aimed at accelerating the upskilling of Malaysian professionals in efforts to support the national economic transformation into a knowledge driven, high value economy.

The MoU with MDeC provides the framework for the setting up of a MSC Malaysia MyProCert Program Delivery Centre at Curtin Sarawak, developing talent to support the programme in East Malaysia, and strategically introducing the MyProCert Program and Curtin Sarawak as the centre of excellence supporting the local communities in Miri and Bintulu.

“MDeC has over the years strategised and formulated various programmes aimed at meeting the demand of the current and future workforce requirement of the local ICT industry. Our partnership with Curtin Sarawak and Agilent Technologies on the MyProCert Program Delivery Centre is in line with the MSC Malaysia initiatives for undergraduates and fresh graduates to be upskilled and equipped with industry-relevant skills and expertise whilst addressing the ICT industry’s talent needs,” said Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the Chief Executive Officer of MDeC.

Aligned to the MoU with MDeC, the MoU with Agilent Technologies is focused on producing a pool of competent, employable engineering graduates through industry relevant and hands-on engineering training programmes to sustain the growth of high-tech industries.

The MoU will also see the enhancement of university-industry collaboration in driving cutting edge research to meet market demand. These initiatives will help enhance local industries and communities through the provision of technical services and continuous talent development.

Included in this MoU, Agilent and Curtin Sarawak will jointly set up an electrical and instrumentation reference lab equipped with industry-leading test and measurement equipment to support teaching and research at Curtin Sarawak.

Here, joint research activities will be established, and Agilent will provide research funding through its university relations research grant and postgraduate scholarship programmes. Agilent will also incorporate Curtin Sarawak’s PhD by Research programme into its current Employee Education Programme.

Agilent Technologies is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in electronics and communications, chemical analysis, life sciences and diagnostics and genomics. It provides premium test and measurement technologies, instrumentation and solutions to customers in over 100 countries.

DreamCatcher provides technical training to various industries such as electrical and electronics, telecommunications, oil & gas and life sciences. It partners with Agilent Technologies on global courseware solutions to ensure industry-leading tools are used to enhance the learning experience.

ATM Solutions, meanwhile, is an Authorised Technology Partner and Distributor of Agilent Technologies Malaysia. It provides focused sales and marketing services, technical support services, consulting and training to education institutions, and government agencies in Malaysia.

Officiating at the ceremony was Sarawak’s Assistant Minister of Communication and Assistant Minister of Sport Datuk Dr. Lee Kim Shin, who is also the chair of Curtin Sarawak’s management board. Datuk Dr. Lee also flagged off the first ‘SAINS on Wheels’ convoy with trained student volunteers heading to SMK Subis to carry out the project for its first 40 participants in Miri.

The Miri-based Samling Group of Companies is providing logistical support for the project, which is targeting rural schools mainly within its concession areas, as part of its ongoing community engagement activities.

Also present were Senior Manager Nik Naharudin Mohd Nasir, Managers Fazida Akmal and Maria Khor of MDeC; Programme Manager Hanita Ibrahim and Marketing Director Gooi Bor Chun of Agilent Technologies; Managing Director Choo Wai Heng and Director Dr. Hor Poh Jin of DreamCatcher; and Business Advisor Chew Teck Ming and Business Manager Kamal Kamarudin of ATM Solutions.

Representing Curtin Sarawak were Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Jim Mienczakowski, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Yudi Samyudia and Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Ching, as well the deans and managers of the university.

In his speech during the ceremony, Datuk Dr. Lee remarked that the establishment of strong partnerships with industry is part and parcel of Curtin Sarawak’s commitment to developing strong links to industry and provide real benefits to its students and the wider community.

“It is Curtin Sarawak’s goal to be a recognised regional leader in education and research, and to engage communities and transform lives through leadership, innovation and excellence in teaching and research,” he said.

Datuk Dr Lee giving his address.

MDec’s Nik Naharudin exchanging MoU with Prof. Mienczakowski.

Gooi Bor Chun and Prof. Mienczakowski with copies of Agilent Technologies-Curtin Sarawak MoU.

Datuk Dr Lee and Prof. Mienczakowski with representatives of MDeC, Agilent Technologies, DreamCatcher and ATM Solutions.

Datuk Dr Lee, Prof. Mienczakowski, Nik Naharudin and Gooi Bor Chun with Curtin engineering students participating in SAINS on Wheels Projec