STRENGTHENING THE INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS AND ACADEMIC  COLLABORATIONS  

By: Mr. Mohd Faizal Mohamed Zahri, Mrs. Nur Sufiah Jamaludin, Mrs. Norshalawati Mat Yusof, Dr. Luqman Hakim Ahmad Shah  

 As a preparation for the upcoming Mechanical Engineering Technology programs and  improving the current Automotive Technology (BVA) program, the  faculty has conducted meetings via online and face-to-face to introduce and seek industrial  partners to initiate academic collaborations in the near future.  

Among others, an online meeting has been conducted between FTKMA and Terengganu  Oils & Gas Council (TOGC) on 9th March 2021. FTKMA is represented by the Dean,  Professor Dr. Mahadzir Ishak@Muhammad and Head of Mechanical Engineering  Technology (Oil & Gas) (BTG) program, Associate Professor Dr. Firdaus Basrawi, while TOGC is represented by YM Hj. Tengku Amran Tengku Awang. The main discussion of the  auspicious meeting revolves around potential academic collaboration and placement of future  students of BTG program.

In another development, FTKMA delegates headed by the Dean has visited Mara Liner Kuantan on 16th of March to introduce Automotive Technology (BVA) and  Mechanical Engineering Technology (Automotive) (BTA) program. The representative from Mara  Liner gives positive feedbacks on the program and he foresee potential collaborations on the  work-based learning approach. Further discussions on the details of collaboration and work based learning will be refined in the near future.

Another face-to-face meeting has been held on 1st April between FTKMA and  Politeknik Sultan Ahmad Shah (POLISAS). The meeting is to promote the upcoming  Mechanical Engineering Technology programs as well as mapping out the credit transfer for  graduates of POLISAS to enroll in these programs.

To improve the current Automotive Technology (BVA)  program, a retreat has been held on 8th April in Ancasa Royale, Pekan in order to integrate work-based learning (WBL) modules in BVA courses. The retreat is attended by lecturers  and technicians who are involved in the program.

Another big milestone for FTKMA with regards to the new Mechanical Engineering Technology programs is the online signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for work-based learning (WBL) between FTKMA and MIE Offshore Solutions Sdn Bhd. The event further strengthens the networking and collaboration between us and industry to initiate the 3-years University 1-year Industry (3U1I) concept for the WBL according to the curriculum structure of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Oil  and Gas) (BTG) program.