MANILA, Oct 12 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Batangas State University (BatStateU), the National Engineering University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in engineering education, research and academic exchange.

The agreement builds on longstanding collaboration between UTM’s Centre for Engineering Education (CEE) and BatStateU’s Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE), creating further opportunities for educator development and institutional cooperation.

On behalf of the UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaini Ahmad signed the MoU, while BatStateU was represented by its President, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo. The signing was witnessed by the Director of UTM CEE, Dr. Nurzal Effiyana Ghazali and BatStateU Vice President for Development and External Affairs, Dr. Vaberlie Mandane-Garcia. The UTM delegation also included Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Strategy & Global Eminence) Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Husain and Dr. Shahrin Mohammad.

The ceremony took place at Savoy Hotel Manila during the opening of the OBEExCDIO National Train-the-Trainers Workshop. The event was attended by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and brought together approximately 100 engineering faculty members and academic leaders from around 50 higher education institutions across the Philippines.

The partnership has already contributed to the National Outcomes-Based Engineering Education (OBEE) Training Series. Through collaboration between CEE and CIEE, the series reached 95 engineering higher education institutions and trained 206 engineering deans, programme chairs, quality assurance officers and academic leaders across all 17 regions of the Philippines.

The MoU provides a foundation for expanding collaboration through joint research, publications, knowledge exchange and capacity-building programmes. It also opens opportunities for staff and student mobility, visiting professorships and invited lectures.

During the event, Dr. Shirley encouraged both universities to extend their collaboration into transnational education. This proposed direction aligns with UTM ASCEND 2030, particularly its emphasis on Niche Excellence and Global Talent.

Dr. Shirley also highlighted the growing demand for engineering professionals in the Philippines. The country is projected to require more than 1.8 million engineers across sectors including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, mining and utilities. Meanwhile, the semiconductor industry alone is expected to require approximately 128,000 engineers and technicians by 2028.

This workforce demand reinforces the importance of strengthening engineering education in the Philippines. In this context, the OBEE training programme jointly conducted by CIEE and UTM CEE supports engineering educators in designing curricula, teaching and learning activities, and assessment practices aligned with defined graduate outcomes and current industry needs.

Moving forward, the partnership aims to translate the agreement into collaborative activities that support educators, enhance student learning and strengthen engineering education across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). By building on their shared experience and expertise, UTM and BatStateU seek to deliver lasting benefits to their institutions and the wider communities they serve.