More partnerships urged between universities, companies

The Education Ministry has called for more private companies to partner with public institutions of higher learning such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in producing global-standard graduates. Education deputy minister II, P. Kamalanathan said the collaboration could be through practical training and motivational programmes in various fields. "Hopefully, research and study chapters can be enhanced to produce all-round competitive graduates," he told reporters here yesterday after a working visit to USM. He noted that USM, the only accelerated programme for excellence (Apex) university in Malaysia, had partnered with 17 companies including international firms, in 33 electrical and electronic research projects involving RM8.5 million last year. "I am very impressed with USM's phase two apex plans and potential research projects such as in halal vaccine, auto electronic and nano biotech, to enhance its capacity," he said. Meanwhile, USM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Omar Osman said the university proposed to introduce the apex specification programme (apex scholar and apex secondary school) to students, in phase two from 2014 until 2025. "We will also initiate greater cooperation with private companies to enable us to commercialise research products," he said.