Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian University Dubai (CUD) to promote joint research and academic exchange in the field of computing and information technology. The agreement between the two top-tier universities was formalised during a signing ceremony held at Expo 2020 Dubai. The focus of the new collaboration between UTM and CUD will be to promote academic and research activities in computing and information technology. In addition, the institutions will hold exchange programs for both academic staff and students, and organize joint conferences and seminars related to the two academic fields.
Staged at Pavilion Malaysia, UTM was represented by Prof. Ts. Dr Mohd Hamdan Ahmad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development); CUD was represented by its President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Karim Chelli.
Speaking about the new partnership, Prof. Chelli stated that through this partnership, CUD has successfully grown its output of high-impact research, which has contributed to its achievements in the 2022 QS ranking, including the recent Arab region ranking that positions CUD as the number one university in Dubai. Drawing inspiration from UTM’s international reputation as a research-intensive university, they now aim to explore new and advanced fields of technology and, through this partnership, make a significant contribution to developing regional knowledge in these disciplines. CUD is also delighted to create new opportunities for faculty and students to take up exchange opportunities and in doing so, enrich their academic experience, he added.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr Mohd Hamdan Ahmad said the recent activities between CUD-UTM involved distinguished lecture series and research on exploring a new framework of AI and Green-Energy Assisted Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) for Intelligent Transportation Systems. The research is inspired by current and future trends of technologies that show vehicles such as cars sold today are already equipped with a certain level of automated operation. Therefore, their new findings may involve different technological configurations towards effective autonomous driving for humans and the environment, he said.
The new agreement with UTM represents an extension to CUD’s existing collaborations with leading academic institutions in Malaysia, which include a partnership with the country’s first private tertiary education institution, Multimedia University.
Malaysia’s Digital Transformation is aimed at transforming the nation into the digital hub in Southeast Asia. Malaysia is focused on the development of connectivity, satellite broadband, digital infrastructure for buildings, 5G ecosystems, and smart automation.
Malaysia is strategically situated in the heart of the region, with easy access to other growing markets and robust infrastructure, connectivity, and economic stability. The ICT sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Malaysian market, currently contributing 19.1% of the country’s GDP (2019) and is expected to reach 22.6% by 2025.
Market research shows that ICT spending in Malaysia will reach $25.2 billion by 2023. This spending will be supported by a growing rate of digital adoption and cloud computing in Malaysia. The leading growth areas in the ICT sector include cloud computing, data analytics, storage, cybersecurity, business process outsourcing, and mobility with the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% during the forecast period.
Government policies, such as the Industry4WRD policy, play an essential role in promoting digitalisation throughout all economic sectors and industries. Industry4WRD aims to transform the manufacturing sector and related services in the next five years.
In 2021, the Government of Malaysia (GOM) launched the MyDIGITAL initiative as a comprehensive approach designed to anchor the country’s digital economy by 2030. This initiative serves as part of the government’s plans to transform Malaysia into a digitally-driven, high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy.