Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Vice-Chancellor, Ir Dr Wahid Omar, signed a historic tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTM, Sudan Master Technology (SMT) and Sudan University of Science & Technology (SUST), Khartoum.

The MoU marks the start of collaborative effort towards establishing an Engineering, Technology and Innovation Centre of Excellence to drive Sudan’s industrial development. UTM will act as the knowledge provider, proffering consultants and researchers who will conduct training to Sudanese executives, achieved through short courses, postgraduate programmes and full research MSc and PhD programmes.

The postgraduate students will be jointly supervised by SUST and UTM. SUST will also provide any necessary research facilities. Additionally, staff of SUST will be trained so that they would be able to run the programme independently at a later date.

SMT, a Sudanese Government Linked Company( GLC) will assist by providing the required facilities and support staff needed to run the Centre of Excellence.

This is a unique, one of a kind programme as it involves the collaboration between three different entities, namely, UTM which is a foreign University, SMT which is a Sudanese GLC, and SUST, a Sudanese higher learning institution. Indeed, this strategic win-win alliance is the first of its kind in Sudan.

Signing on behalf of SUST was its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Hasim Ali Salim, while SMT was represented by Mr Babiker Ibrahim Babiker Mohamed, Deputy General Manager, Human Resource Department.
In addition to the MoU, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was also signed between UTM and SMT. The agreement formalises the running of short courses specifically targeted at executive officers from several SMT’s subsidiaries. The courses will focus on productivity and quality improvements and will be helmed by staff of UTM Razak School.

Also signed was a Letter of Intent (LOI) between UTM Razak School and the Ministry of Human Development and Labour, Khartoum. The signing signals an intent to conduct training needs analysis for all departments under the Khartoum State. The Minister for Human Development and Labour, Dr Yahia Salih Mukwar, signed the LOI on behalf of the State of Khartoum.
Also in attendance, witnessing the signing ceremony, was the Malaysian Ambassador to Sudan, Dato Mohd Ashri Muda.