PENANG, 10 March 2022 - In a historic first, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PKT LOGISTICS GROUP SDN. BHD to work together in academic and research development.

The MoU was signed by both parties on 10 March 2022 at PKT Logistics' The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan, Penang.

The MOU signing ceremony was officiated by USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan, together with, Group Chief Executive and Managing Director of PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd., Dato' Seri Dr. Michael Tio, and witnessed by Prof. Dato' Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Mr. Jason Cheah Seng Cheong, Group Chief Operating Officer, PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Dr. Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin, Director of Industry Network, BJIM.

“I wish to thank our counterparts from PKT Logistics Group Sdn. Bhd., especially Dato' Seri Dr. Michael Tio, on his continued support, especially with regard to the training and talent development exercise of students,” said Faisal Rafiq.

“Recalling how this network started with PITCH@USM activities, it began by inviting Y.Bhg. Dato' Seri as one of the panellist in selecting the winners of the Pitch Cycle 1.0 competition in 2021. This was followed by the awarding of two spaces at the Entrepreneur Growth Hub to the two winners of Pitch Cycle 1.0 (Utopus Group and Ugek Group) at the company’s Ship Campus for free.

“Subsequently, this network was further strengthened with the appointment of Y.Bhg. Dato' Seri as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Management (SOM) in USM starting in 2022. Not only that, PKT Logistics is also honoured to award the Academic Excellence Award to the top three (3) students in the field of Operations Management to SOM, beginning from the 2021/ 2022 Academic Session,” he added.

Meanwhile, according to Michael, the signing of this MoU opens a new chapter for both parties to collaborate in areas which have been mutually identified, and he looks forward to a fruitful relationship with a prestigious university like USM in the years ahead.

He also pointed out that The Ship Campus through PKT will bring the institution closer to industries, to ensure that graduates can acquire their relevant skills to serve the industry while empowering them to become graduates of quality.

PKT is a socially- responsible company providing logistics services by utilising local human resources, building environmentally- friendly warehouses, having open engagements with the communities, and inspiring other businesses to provide positive impact to the people and communities through its activities.

The Ship Campus is a project by PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. Peninsula College’s state-of-the-art campuses across Malaysia feature the Campus-in-Industry model, where colleges are located within an industrial park. Students will be able to enjoy close collaboration and part-time employment with industry partners while studying.

Text: Mohamad Hafiz Asyraf Mohd Arop / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa