UCTS, Gimhwak sign MoU to promote shipbuilding industry
SIBU: University College of Technology Sarawak ( UCTS) has signed with Gimhwak a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the shipbuilding industry.
Gimhwak group executive director Renco Yong signed for Gimhwak while UCTS vicechancellor Professor Dato Dr Abdul Hakim Juri for UCTS.
It was witnessed by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and president and chief executive officer of Malaysian Industry- Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman.
Before the signing, Dr Hakim said collaboration between Gimhwak and UCTS started the day UCTS went into operation.
He said encouraged by Renco to work closely with shipbuilding industry, UCTS was able to collaborate through its School of Engineering and Technology and Mechanical Engineering programme.
“It was not in the initial plan to do Mechanical Engineering, but somehow there was a request from our chief minister at the time
It was not in the initial plan to do Mechanical Engineering, but somehow there was a request from our chief minister at the time that Mechanical Engineering was important for Sibu industries and the shipbuilding industry would require manpower assistance from UCTS. Professor Dato Dr Abdul Hakim Juri, University College of Technology Sarawak vice-chancellor
that Mechanical Engineering was important for Sibu industries and the shipbuilding industry would require manpower assistance from UCTS,” he said.
He said UCTS would try to support the requirement of the shipbuilding industry through its Mechanical Engineering programme.
He hoped collaboration between UCTS and Gimhwak would lead to the development of a focal centre that would support the shipbuilding industry in Sibu.
“As we embark on another level of the industry, we hope that through such establishment of collaboration, we are able to realise the establishment of science and technology park much faster than expected,” he said.
Meanwhile, MIGHT president and CEO Dr Mohd Yusoff said the shipbuilding industry required continuation of knowledge and lots of new ideas for development.
He said the industry was becoming competitive and the shipbuilding industry in Sibu must be equipped with the latest technology to remain competitive.
“I’m pleased to hear that Gimhwak is able to secure businesses from all over the world, the private sector and the government sector, bringing a new dimension to what our shipbuilding can offer,” he said.
He said challenges would be there as the world changed and the industry got developed.
“I think this collaboration is helpful,” he said, adding that MIGHT had funds for the university to work with experts in the United Kingdom.