JOHOR BAHRU, 18th Feb. — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Ericsson continue to reaffirm their commitment to strengthen their collaboration in research, development, and innovation to accelerate the national 4th IR agenda via the Malaysian Science Technology Innovation and Economic Development Framework (MySTIE 10-10).

Acquainted virtually for the first time, Prof. Datuk Ts Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, the Vice-Chancellor of UTM, and Mr. David Hägerbro, the President of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, were joined by their respective team members. The UTM Vice-Chancellor had the opportunity to present UTM Envision 2025 and UTM Research & Development Blueprint 2025 which led to constructive discussions and identifying new strategic areas of collaboration concerning 5G research, technology, and awareness programs.

Being one of the UTM active industry partners, the UTM-Ericsson collaboration began in 2016 sparked by the CEO@Faculty(Coached by the Pro’s) program, in which two of our academic staff were chosen by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to undergo a leadership mentoring program under the President. This has led to UTM-Ericsson 5G Innovation Center, the first establishment and facility of its kind in Malaysia located at Wireless Communication Centre (WCC), UTM Kuala Lumpur Campus with various programs such as hackathons, showcases, and live trials being held and benefiting students and researchers.

To conclude, both UTM and Ericsson believe that the innovation ecosystem must be strengthened to achieve the desired impact, and the only way to attain the industry and academia unite. With a few short-term, a new plans were identified, UTM and Ericsson will continue to foster research and innovation to benefit society and the nation.

Reported by: Rohaizan Khairul Anuar