Collaboration to accelerate skills development, strengthen innovation, and drive industry-driven education

Image

Kuala Lumpur, 22 September 2025 – Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB), one of Malaysia’s leading automotive component manufacturers with over decades of industry experience, and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Malaysia’s Premier Digital Technology Institution (PDTI), have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle (EV/Hybrid) technology and Smart Manufacturing. 

The MoU, signed at APU’s iconic campus in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil, paves the way for joint initiatives designed to enhance education, training and innovation, supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy. 

Driving the Future of EV and Hybrid Technologies

A key focus of the partnership is advancing EV and Hybrid vehicle maintenance, servicing, and training. SIB, through its subsidiary MILI EV Hybrid – Malaysia’s leading EV/Hybrid service and training centre – will collaborate with APU to integrate specialised training and certification programmes into APU’s engineering curriculum.

Planned initiatives include:

• Establishing a Hybrid/EV training laboratory at APU’s campus.
• Embedding EV/Hybrid training certification programmes for students.
• Co-developing modules to upskill and reskill external industry professionals.
• Leveraging MILI EV Hybrid’s expertise to provide real-world training and exposure.
   

These measures will ensure that APU students gain hands-on, practical experience in sustainable automotive systems, while industry players benefit from a future-ready talent pipeline.

The document was signed by Puan Sri Datin Seri Mariam Parineh, Executive Vice Chairman of SIB, and Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, and was witnessed by Tan Sri Datuk Seri Ir. Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir, Founder and Advisor of SIB; and Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of APU. 

The signing ceremony was attended by members of the Board and Senior Leadership Team of SIB, as well as the Senior Leadership Team and academics of APU. 

Empowering Students through Smart Manufacturing

The partnership also highlights SIB’s proprietary IRIS system, an advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solution that captures real-time machine data, calculates Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and enables data-driven decision-making.

APU students will benefit from live demonstrations, site visits to SIB’s facilities, and co-developed training programmes covering:

• IoT integration and smart factory solutions.
• Real-time data analytics and dashboarding.
• Downtime tracking and performance optimisation.
   

By combining SIB’s industrial expertise with APU’s strong academic foundation, the partnership ensures graduates are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills.

Shared Vision for National Growth

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent, driving sustainability, and strengthening Malaysia’s leadership in high-technology industries. 

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ir. Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir, Founder and Advisor of SIB, said, “I have always believed that true impactful learning lies at the intersection of academia and practical application. Today, I am proud to witness the collaboration between the automotive manufacturing company I founded 40 years ago, which has grown into an industry leader, and the education institution I helped establish as APIIT, which, under the leadership of Datuk Parmjit, has evolved into one of Malaysia’s top universities. Together, SIB and APU are shaping a new generation of Malaysia’s innovative leaders.” 

Datuk Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of APU, added, “At APU, we constantly seek to enrich the learning experience of our students by aligning academic knowledge with practical, industry-driven applications. Partnering with Sapura Industrial Berhad exemplifies how education and industry can come together to create a meaningful impact. Our students will not only learn about the latest technologies but also engage with real-world challenges, preparing them to be highly employable, competent, and future-proof professionals.” 

Long-term Vision

The MoU will remain in effect for an initial period of five years, with automatic renewal for successive terms. Both SIB and APU are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of initiatives under this collaboration, anchored in mutual benefit, trust, and innovation.