KOTA BHARU, 6 April 2023 I Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), through the Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Wellness (FHPK), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with seven industries for the purpose of academic and research collaboration. The signing ceremony took place at the Experimental Hall, UMK City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, today.
The industries involved in the collaboration include Sunway Theme Park, Skytrex Sdn. Bhd., Seri Malaysia Hotel Network Sdn. Bhd., JDMas Commerce Sdn. Bhd., Big Onion Food Caterer Sdn. Bhd., Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts Sdn. Bhd., and Hitfat Sdn. Bhd.
The MoU signing ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Ts. Dr. Arham Abdullah, representing the Vice-Chancellor of UMK, Prof. Dato' Dr. Razli Che Razak. Representatives from the industries included the Managing Director of JDMAS Commerce Sdn. Bhd., Dato' Bruce Lim Ain Choong, the Chief Executive Officer of Seri Malaysia Hotel Network, Dato' Syed Kamarulzaman Dato' Syed Zainol Khodki Shahabudin, the Managing Director of Skytrex Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Azlan Idrus, and the Managing Director of Big Onion Food Caterer Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Liang Foo Kuan.
Also present were the Director of Operations and Organization Development of Holiday Villa Hotels and Resorts Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Lee Chen Siong, the General Manager of Human Resources at Sunway Theme Parks, Mr. Harvidar Singh, and the Founder and Trainer of Hitfat Gym, Mr. Tuan Asyrani Nasir Tuan Mohammad.
According to Prof. Dr. Arham, the MoU cooperation can further strengthen UMK's bilateral relationship which has already been established between the seven industries, especially in the aspects of student placement in the industry, staff expertise exchange, research, consultation and community service.
He stated that this MoU also involves collaboration in academic planning and development, industrial and traditional modes, as well as lifelong learning programs in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and wellness.
"This collaboration will support the country's development plan in line with the concept of Malaysia Madani, which aims to create an advanced and civilized society based on knowledge, traditions, heritage, and local wisdom," he said.
Meanwhile, the Dean of FHPK, Associate Prof. Dr. Roslizawati Che Aziz, stated that FHPK is currently in the process of establishing smart and strategic partnerships with industries in the implementation of the Apprentice 3u1i program, industrial training, research, consultation, and collaborative activities with industries. She mentioned that the Apprentice 3u1i programme is an industrial mode study programme that was first offered at FHPK in 2019
"During that period, a total of 16 students of Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Hospitality) with Honours who were also the first cohort of Apprentice 3u1i underwent training at Gerbang Alaf Sdn. Bhd (McDonalds) and have successfully completed their studies at the 12th UMK convocation session.
"This programme has created numerous opportunities for collaboration between UMK and the industry a 3-year placement of students at the university and a 1-year placement in the industry. This initiative aims to equip students with the latest knowledge and relevant skills to meet the needs of the industry and global challenges," he said.
Furthermore, he added that the programme also aims to foster an entrepreneurial spirit through academic-industry collaboration with a work-based learning approach.
