JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 5 – The UTM-Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (UTM-CIAM) together with the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully organised the Industrial & Innovation Showcase (SIIFS) 2025 at UTM Johor Bahru on 3 and 4 December 2025, featuring a series of industry–academia engagement activities aimed at enhancing students’ exposure to real-world applications and career opportunities.
The programme aimed to initiate collaborations with industry partners and relevant agencies, create opportunities for new and strengthened Letters of Intent (LoI), Letters of Collaboration (LoC), and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), and enhance ongoing activities under existing agreements. It also sought to promote academic, research, and consultancy collaborations between Faculty researchers and industry partners, while providing employment and industrial training opportunities for students through industry briefings, interviews, and direct engagement sessions.
One of the main highlights of the programme was the Industry Sharing Session titled “Mathematics Beneath the Waves,” delivered by Ts. Kamarudin Ismail, Head of Engineering at iFactors Sdn. Bhd.
The session was attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as academic staff from the Faculty of Science.
The session provided industry perspectives on the relevance of mathematics in engineering applications and highlighted its importance in supporting problem-solving, optimisation, and decision-making in industry. The sharing also offered participants, including students and academic staff, valuable insights into the application of mathematical knowledge in real-world industrial settings and the skills expected by industry professionals.
It further contributed to enhancing the knowledge of academic staff, particularly those involved in research or collaborative projects, by presenting practical examples of the role of mathematics in supporting industry–academia partnerships and applied research initiatives. Mathematics is not merely theoretical. It forms the foundation of engineering solutions, especially when dealing with complex systems.
The session emphasised the importance of continuously enhancing problem-solving skills, computational knowledge, and interdisciplinary understanding to better prepare participants for careers in engineering and technology-driven industries.
Besides the sharing session, the programme also featured internship interviews by Sony Malaysia, giving 13 students valuable exposure to real-world industry recruitment processes and expectations. These interviews provided participants with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge, while gaining insights into the qualities and competencies sought by industry professionals.
In addition, discussion sessions were held between industry representatives and academic staff from the UTM-CIAM and the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science. These sessions facilitated the exchange of ideas, allowing academics to explore potential research collaborations, consultancy opportunities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives with industry partners. Such interactions help strengthen partnerships between academia and industry, ensuring that academic programmes remain relevant and aligned with current industrial practices, while also opening avenues for collaborative projects that can enhance research and innovation.
The programme also marked the signing of an LoI between UTM–CIAM, represented by its Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr Arifah Bahar, and iFactors Sdn. Bhd., represented by Ts. Kamarudin Ismail, accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr Sabrinah Adam, Deputy Director of the UTM Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), and Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Development), Faculty of Science, UTM. The LoI signifies a shared commitment to fostering collaboration in areas such as applied mathematics, industrial research, and knowledge exchange, paving the way for future joint initiatives between the two parties.
Prepared by Dr Nurul Aini Jaafar and Assoc. Prof. Dr Zaitul Marlizawati
