A total of 117 students from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL MIMET) gained invaluable hands-on experience in the operation and maintenance of Kapal Maritim (KM) GAGAH, a vessel owned by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).
This opportunity was made possible through UniKL’s innovation and business arm, UniKL Resources Sdn. Bhd. (URSB), which secured the maintenance contract for KM GAGAH.
Nur Atiqah Aishah Ahmad, one of the students involved in the KM GAGAH teaching factory, expressed how the experience deepened her understanding of ship operations, complementing the theory she learned in the classroom.
“This is a rare and invaluable opportunity, and it has better prepared me for future industry exposure,” she said after receiving the participation certificate on behalf of the 117 students.
KM GAGAH underwent a comprehensive 20-month main engine repowering and refit, carried out by UniKL MIMET in collaboration with Glide Marine Sdn. Bhd.
Throughout this process, students were exposed to the cutting-edge technology and methods used in ship maintenance.
In addition to the students, nine alumni of UniKL MIMET were also hired by URSB as part of the KM GAGAH maintenance team, further showcasing the university’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals in the maritime industry.
The maintenance project, overseen by Ships Classification Malaysia (SCM) to ensure compliance with international standards, involved UniKL MIMET experts and skilled local workers from the industry.
With KM GAGAH fully operational, it will bolster APMM’s capability to secure the Malaysian Maritime Zone (MMZ), especially in the waters surrounding Perak.
The vessel was officially handed over on September 11, 2024, at UniKL MIMET’s shipyard.
The event was attended by key figures, including APMM’s Senior Assistant Director of the Engineering Division, Maritime Captain Mohd Rizal bin Hishamuddin, MARA Perak State Office Director, Encik Rizal Effendi Razali, UniKL Deputy President (International, Industrial & Institutional Partnership), Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan, and URSB General Manager, Encik Anuar Berahim.
KM GAGAH completed its repairs at the UniKL MIMET shipyard on September 10, 2024, and successfully passed both its Harbour Acceptance Trial (HAT) on August 23, 2024, and its Sea Acceptance Trial (SAT) on August 28, 2024, in the Straits of Malacca.
With a length of 39.5 meters, a width of 7 meters, and a displacement of 221 tons, KM GAGAH is capable of conducting deep-sea operations for up to seven days without resupply. The vessel can reach up to 21.7 knots and is equipped with a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and an i-band radar, enhancing its ability to monitor Malaysia’s waters effectively.
