USM PENANG, 3 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the Graduate School of Business (GSB), continues to strengthen university-industry linkages through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), and Research Grant Agreement (RGA) with Thunder Print Sdn. Bhd., a printing and packaging company based in Sungai Petani, Kedah, and USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.

The ceremony, held at USM on 29 April, was attended by key representatives from all three parties, including Associate Professor Dr. Fathyah Hashim, Dean of GSB, USM, representing the Vice-Chancellor of USM; Ch’ng Chuwn Leong, Chief Executive Officer of Thunder Print Sdn. Bhd.; and Nathalie Yong Moi Yin, Group Assistant General Manager of USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd.

The collaboration signifies a shared commitment to advancing applied research, industrial talent development, upskilling for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, and the cultivation of future leadership, with a total value of RM500,000 for the period from 2026 to 2028.

Through this collaboration, Thunder Print is supporting two research projects with a combined value of RM150,000.

The first project, spanning 2026 to 2027 and valued at RM80,000, focuses on AI-era talent strategies and learning frameworks to develop the workforce of the future.

The second project, covering the period from 2027 to 2028 and valued at RM70,000, focuses on succession strategies and the development of leadership frameworks to strengthen organisational readiness.

In addition, the collaboration includes a training programme valued at RM350,000 for the period from 2026 to 2028, aimed at strengthening talent strategy capabilities, AI-related upskilling, leadership pathway development, and succession planning within organisations.

The initiative reflects USM’s role as a research university committed to translating academic expertise into tangible industry impact.

At the same time, the strategic collaboration with Thunder Print and USAINS creates broader opportunities for research, training, and knowledge transfer that are relevant to organisational needs in the era of digital transformation.

Original Text & Photo: Graduate School of Business (GSB), USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin