Kuala Lumpur, May 30, 2024 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Nplus Srl Italy have officially entered into a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony took place today at the UTM Kuala Lumpur campus, marking a significant milestone in fostering academic and research collaboration between the two institutions.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and International of UTM, and Mr. Giordano Riello, President of Nplus Srl Italy, and attended by key representatives from UTM’s School of Graduate Studies, School of Undergraduate Studies, and the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
The synergy formed across key departments in UTM demonstrates the wide-ranging impact and importance of this collaboration across various sectors.
For the record, UTM is the first university in Malaysia to establish cooperation with Nplus Srl based on their expertise in structural health monitoring research. This historic MoU signifies the first formal agreement between UTM and an institution in Italy, paving the way for future collaborations in research, academic exchange, and industrial partnerships.
According to Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry, “This strategic collaboration marks the initiation of industrial research internships, providing UTM students with invaluable practical experience in real-world settings.”
“The MoU outlines several projects to be undertaken in the future, including research internships for both postgraduate and undergraduate students, as well as collaborative research initiatives. These projects are poised to contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and innovation in their respective fields,” he added.
The collaboration is also in line with the enVision UTM 2025 Strategic Plan, especially in support of Strategic Priority 1: To produce holistic talents by developing high-quality graduates. This partnership will realize UTM’s efforts in providing opportunities for our students to be exposed internationally and hone their skills in order to face rapid global challenges.
The collaboration was made possible through Dr. Yong Kon Chen, Director of VRG Dinamik Sdn. Bhd and a UTM alumnus, and Assoc. Professor Dr. Norhisham Bakhary from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, who played a significant role in facilitating the collaboration between Nplus Srl Italy and UTM. UTM and Nplus Srl Italy are excited about the prospects of this partnership and look forward to fruitful collaborations in the years to come, further solidifying their positions as leaders in academia and industry.
