The partnership between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC) is expected to drive the development of the rail industry by upskilling highly skilled talents.
Commemorated through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on 20 March, the partnership focuses on the Peneraju Skil Plus Professional Rolling Stock Maintenance programme, which is aligned with national workforce development initiatives.
“Through this collaboration, UniKL will provide academic and technical training, ensuring that students gain the knowledge and practical skills needed for success in the rail sector.
“MARIC, as the recognised industry authority, will certify the students, ensuring that they meet rigorous industry standards and are fully prepared to contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s rail sector,” said UniKL President/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman Senin, in his speech.
Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman Senin represented UniKL in signing the MoA, while MARIC was represented by its President, YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman.
Also present were MARIC Honorary Secretary, YBhg. Haniff Ghazali; MARIC Honorary Treasurer, YBhg. Eena Khalil Lim; UniKL Deputy President (International, Industrial, and Institutional Partnership), YBhg. Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan; and UniKL Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zaid Abu Yazid.
For the record, UniKL MIDI houses the UniKL Asia Rail Centre, Malaysia’s first national higher education institute dedicated to rail technology, offering professional courses, licensing programmes, and customised training for workforce development in the rail industry.
Meanwhile, MARIC aims to support the growth of Malaysia’s railway systems engineering. It actively contributes to the industry by organising seminars, exhibitions, training programmes, and business networking events.
As of mid-2024, MARIC’s membership has expanded to 60 companies, with over 5,000 personnel working in key areas such as construction, maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO), and public-private partnerships (PPP).
“Human resources, skills, and talents form the foundation of any sector, and this is especially true for the rail industry. We are fortunate to have found an excellent partner in UniKL.
“We hope this collaboration will bridge the gap between academia and industry, not just in skills and talent but also in innovation to elevate the rail industry to greater heights,” said YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mohd Yusoff.
