Varsity, SME association team up to produce skilled workers

MORE skilled workers will be produced for Sarawak following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and SME Association of Sarawak.

Under the MOU, UTS will develop training content and deliver the programme to participants recruited by the association.

This programme includes marketing strategies and Adobe Photoshop training for 25 participants each time, for members of SME Association of Sarawak and other associations under Sarawak Business Federation.

UTS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid said he was proud that his institution had been chosen to produce more skilled workers.

“The partnership we forge today signifies the fusion of academic pursuit and practical application of knowledge and innovation.

“This collaboration holds the promise of bridging the gap between academic excellence and industrial relevance.”

Khairuddin said students would benefit from exposure to real-world challenges and experiences, and SMEs would benefit from fresh perspectives and cutting-edge research UTS could provide.

It would also enhance the quality of education and equip students with skills needed to excel in the construction sector and beyond, he said.

Association president Jordan Ong Chung Siang said the programme might later be opened to the public and to micro small and medium-sized industries as funding was from the Sarawak government.

He said the collaboration was a testament to the shared vision of UTS and the association.

“It underlines our commitment to nurturing a generation of professionals who are not only equipped with academic knowledge but are also skilled, adaptable and industry ready.

“By joining hands, we are embarking on a journey that promises to reshape education, empower our workforce and drive innovation in ways that were previously unimaginable,” he said.