BATU KAWAN, PENANG, 28 January 2026 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today marked a major step forward in university–industry collaboration with the formal exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with ViTrox College, reinforcing joint efforts to develop future-ready talent for Malaysia’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.

The MoA exchange ceremony, held at the ViTrox College Campus in Batu Kawan, was witnessed by the Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir.

The event was also attended by the Director-General of the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK), Dr. Shamsuri Abdullah and the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed.

Also present were the President and Chief Executive Officer of ViTrox Corporation Berhad, Dato’ Chu Jenn Weng and the Principal of ViTrox College, Dr. Janaka Low Chee Kong.

USM Programmes Delivered Through an Industry-Embedded Model

Under the agreement, ViTrox College, a subsidiary of ViTrox Corporation Berhad will deliver two USM-accredited undergraduate programmes through a franchise-based collaboration:

• Bachelor of Electronic Engineering with Honours; and
• Bachelor of Computer Science (Intelligent Computing) with Honours

While USM will retain full responsibility for academic governance, quality assurance, assessments and the awarding of degrees, the teaching and learning process will take place within ViTrox’s operational industrial environment.

This approach enables students to gain sustained exposure to real engineering workflows, advanced technologies and professional practices throughout their studies.

Bridging Education and Industry Expectations

In his remarks, YB Minister described the initiative as a forward-looking solution to the long-standing challenge of aligning higher education outcomes with industry needs.

“This collaboration demonstrates how universities and industry can work together in a structured and meaningful way to nurture talent that meets the demands of high-technology sectors. It represents an important shift towards producing graduates who are both academically grounded and workplace-ready,” he said.

He also underscored the growing demand for skilled professionals in the semiconductor sector, noting that Malaysia requires tens of thousands of engineers to sustain the industry’s expansion.

Balancing Academic Rigor with Industry Relevance

USM Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the partnership with ViTrox College exemplifies the University’s commitment to delivering higher education that is both academically rigorous and aligned with the evolving needs of industry and the nation.

He noted that as Malaysia moves towards a high-technology, innovation-driven economy, universities must not only uphold excellence in teaching and research but also ensure that graduates are equipped with practical skills, real-world experience and professional competencies required by today’s rapidly advancing sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

“USM will continue to maintain the highest academic standards. All student admission requirements, curriculum design and delivery, faculty appointments and assessment processes will strictly adhere to the University’s established quality assurance frameworks.

“At the same time, this collaboration enables students to benefit from meaningful industry exposure, equipping them with practical competencies and professional readiness to transition smoothly from academic learning into the workplace,” he said.

Work-Based Learning with National Impact

The collaboration is projected to supply more than 1,500 skilled local professionals to the workforce over the next seven years, contributing directly to Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem, particularly in Penang.

ViTrox College adopts a Work-Based Learning framework supported by a Three-Mentor Model, comprising academic mentors, industry practitioners and personal development mentors. This integrated approach ensures graduates develop not only technical expertise, but also professional judgement, resilience and ethical values.

President and CEO of ViTrox Corporation Berhad highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting ViTrox’s origins as a company founded by USM alumni.

“This agreement represents a shared commitment to building Malaysia’s future through education. By bringing together USM’s academic strengths and ViTrox’s industrial capabilities, we are creating a learning model that is deeply relevant to today’s technological landscape,” he said.

Aligned with Malaysia MADANI and National Priorities

The USM–ViTrox College collaboration is closely aligned with the Malaysia MADANI vision, which prioritises human capital development, innovation-led growth and leadership in strategic technologies such as semiconductors and AI. It also supports the goals of the National Semiconductor Strategy by strengthening Malaysia’s long-term, sustainable talent pipeline.

This partnership stands as a strong example of how public universities and high-technology industries can work together to cultivate globally competitive professionals, enhance national competitiveness and drive inclusive, innovation-based economic growth for Malaysia’s future.

Editor: Associate Professor Dr. Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail, Senior Editorial Consultant @ MPRC USM