USM PENANG, 4 October 2022 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) via the USM Security Department and with the initiative of the School of Management (SOM) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd., adding another significant milestone towards closer research collaboration.

The main objective of this research collaboration is to examine the usability and challenges of electric vehicles for the country and USM is confident that this collaboration can lead to the university being a strategic partner in this initiative, as it also believes in driving sustainable solutions.

Signing on behalf of USM was its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Institutional Development), Professor Dr. Md Roslan Hashim and on behalf of Boon Siew Honda was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mitsuharu Funase.

This research study is part of a research project led by researchers from the USM School of Management, Associate Professor Dr. Lilis Surienty and Dr. Sharon Cheang Peck Yeng, in collaboration with the Director of the Security Department, Mohammad Kasni Ismail for a period of 12 months.

Also present as witnesses were Mohammad Kasni and Boon Siew Honda Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Voon Yin Kong.

Both institutions have been working closely for the past 3 years since 2020, promoting safer commuting for motorcycles through a data-driven community-based project with partner industries at the Batu Kawan Industrial Park in Penang.

Meanwhile, in the same occasion, the Benyl Pro Electric Motorcycle Operation Training was conducted for 30 members from the USM Security Department with instructors from Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd.

This is a preparatory step for a research study collaboration that has been jointly signed between USM and Boon Siew Honda since June 2022.

Staff members from the USM Security Department are the first users of the Honda electric motorcycle model in Malaysia and this study aims to understand the suitability of using electric motorcycles in Malaysia.

Each of the 30 members of the Security Department also received a certificate from Boon Siew Honda for completing the Electric Motorcycle Training programme.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah/Foto: Mohd Fairus Md Isa