26 August 2024 – In a significant step towards advancing engineering education, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang Branch has officially partnered with NI Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (now part of Emerson) through a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to establish the NI Embedded System Lab, a cutting-edge facility worth MYR364,434.00 (USD77,539.15). This lab, equipped with LabVIEW, Multisim software, and MyRIO devices, will provide students with access to industry-standard tools, enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for future challenges in the field of electrical and electronics engineering.
UiTM was represented by YBhg. Profesor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Hj. Ahmad Rashidy Razali, Rector of UiTM Penang Branch witnessed by YBhg. Profesor Dr. Muhammad Hussain Ismail, Director of Industrial Network Centre, Office of Industry, Community and Alumni Network (ICAN) UiTM while NI Malaysia was represented by YBrs. Mr. Selvam Chinappan, Vice President, APAC Manufacturing, Managing Director of NI Malaysia while witnessed by YBrs. Ms. Noor Azian Abdul Wahab, Chief, Community Impact & STEM, NI Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
The collaboration represents the culmination of nearly eight years of effort led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Azlan and his dedicated team of MoA initiators: Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Salwa Damanhuri, Dr. Rozan Boudville, and Dr. Belinda Chong Chiew Meng. Their determination to bridge the gap between industry and academia has finally resulted in the establishment of this state-of-the-art lab, marking a milestone in UiTM Penang Branch’s mission to develop future-ready graduates.
Special thanks are extended to the UiTM delegation, including the Prof. Dato’ Rector and Prof. Hussain, for their unwavering support in this endeavor. The success of the MoA was also made possible through the contributions of the NI delegation, including Mr. Selvam and Ms. Azian, whose commitment to fostering educational collaboration played a pivotal role in realizing this project.
This partnership is set to run for five years and is expected to significantly boost UiTM’s research and development capabilities in areas such as embedded systems, robotics, and advanced instrumentation. Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Azlan shared, “The lab will allow our students to engage in real-world applications, equipping them with the practical skills needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.”
The relationship between UiTM and NI Malaysia has already yielded significant benefits for students. In 2023, UiTM Pulau Pinang was granted a ‘wild card’ entry into the NI ARC2023 competition, allowing students to gain invaluable experience working with cutting-edge technology. Following this, two UiTM teams were invited to participate in the upcoming NI ARC2024 competition, further emphasizing the positive impact of the partnership.
The establishment of the NI Embedded System Lab is not only a major achievement for the university but also a testament to UiTM Penang Branch’s commitment to producing innovative, industry-ready graduates. As this collaboration continues to grow, both UiTM and NI Malaysia aim to explore more avenues for academic and technological development, ensuring that students remain at the forefront of engineering advancements.