Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has entered a strategic partnership with M Rail Technics (Railtec) and Trovon Group Pty Ltd to bolster the technical capabilities and employability of its graduates, supporting Malaysia’s burgeoning railway sector.
The partnership agreement was formalised during the Handback Ceremony for the SCS Class 92 Train Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Project at the Seremban EMU Depot.
The event was graced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who witnessed the document exchange. Representing UniKL were its Chairman, YB Dato’ Sri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali, and President/CEO, Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman Senin.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to Railtec for their trust and confidence in UniKL to produce skilled professionals for the railway sector. These individuals, trained at UniKL, will not only contribute to Railtec but also serve the broader rail industry.
“At UniKL, we prioritise areas like land transportation and railway technology to cultivate technical expertise, ensuring Malaysia excels in MRO operations,” said YB Dato’ Sri Sh Mohmed Puzi.
As part of its collaboration, Railtec—a joint venture between Destini Berhad and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB)—will offer structured training under the PROTÉGÉ Programme.
This initiative aims to equip graduates with the technical and operational skills required for the railway sector.
Railtec plans to onboard 289 participants, in which 221 by November 2026 under the first contract and 68 by September 2025 under the second.
Meanwhile, the partnership with Australia-based Trovon, a key partner of Railtec, opens international opportunities for UniKL graduates, including 20 internship placements in Australia.
This collaboration enhances the global employability and technical expertise of UniKL’s talent pool.
During his speech, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid highlighted the critical workforce demands in the railway industry, noting that Malaysia requires an estimated 25,000 skilled professionals in this sector.
“The need for skilled workers must be addressed now. UniKL’s initiatives in niche railway programmes are vital as they position us to compete in a domain previously dominated by international players,” he remarked.