KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 – Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (Perodua) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to develop the country’s next generation of electric vehicles (xEVs). The MoU outlines a comprehensive plan to educate and train future engineers in developing new EV technologies.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad expressed enthusiasm about exploring a future in which Malaysia can cultivate its own xEV technology, benefiting future generations. “With this MoU, Perodua is taking a significant step beyond our original goal of facilitating technology transfer; we are evolving into an organization that actively drives technological development,” he stated.
Founded in 1993, Perodua provides Malaysians with high-quality yet affordable vehicles and acts as a catalyst for technology transfer into the country. This initiative aims to enhance the national automotive ecosystem and improve the technical and technological expertise of the Malaysian workforce.
Professor Dr. Rosli Md Illias, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at UTM, emphasized the collaboration’s potential to promote sustainable mobility in Malaysia. He stated, “This collaboration underscores the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, empowering graduates with the skills and knowledge they need.” This partnership aims to enhance the experiences of UTM students and researchers while serving as a model for successful academia-industry collaborations, ensuring that Malaysia remains competitive in the global automotive sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines six key elements that focus on jointly improving UTM’s academic curriculum for undergraduate programs in engineering and related fields. Additionally, this MoU will establish a satellite laboratory at UTM’s main campus in Skudai, Johor. Perodua and UTM will share knowledge on the latest developments in various automotive technologies, with a particular emphasis on xEV (electric and hybrid vehicles).
The collaboration will also involve joint efforts to train academicians and engineers in developing xEV technology. Moreover, Perodua and UTM will work closely on research and development, talent development, and training programs for their respective employees. The MoU also opens the door for other mutually beneficial areas of cooperation between the two parties.