QIU) has strengthened its commitment to industry-academia collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Coherent Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., paving the way for greater opportunities in talent development, research collaboration and workforce readiness.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment by both organisations to bridge the gap between academia and industry by equipping students with the knowledge, practical experience and professional competencies needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The MoA was signed by Global Integrated Training Associates Chief Executive Officer Mr Nicholas Goh and Mr Tiang Bih Yeong, General Manager of Coherent Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Witnessing the signing were Ms Susan Shela Gabriel, Human Resource Manager of Coherent Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., and Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Mah Siew Kien, Dean of QIU’s Faculty of Computing & Engineering.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Goh emphasised that the partnership is founded on a common vision of preparing future-ready graduates while strengthening Malaysia’s industrial capabilities.
“Education is far more than academic progression. It is a transformative journey that shapes character, broadens perspectives and builds confidence. While academic excellence remains fundamental, universities must also prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully to society and excel in an increasingly complex, technology-driven world,” he said.
He added that universities generate knowledge, but its true value lies in its application.
“This partnership brings together QIU’s academic strengths with Coherent Malaysia’s industry leadership, allowing us to bridge classroom learning with real-world practice. We are committed to producing research that addresses genuine industry needs while ensuring our graduates leave the university equipped with technical expertise, practical experience and the professional confidence required by today’s employers.”
Under the collaboration, QIU and Coherent Malaysia will work together on a wide range of initiatives, including expanding access to education, workforce upskilling programmes, student internships, employability initiatives, curriculum enhancement, guest lectures, industry visits, research collaborations, applied projects and professional development opportunities for both students and academic staff.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen QIU’s academic programmes by ensuring they remain aligned with emerging technologies and evolving industry expectations, while providing students with invaluable exposure to real workplace environments.
Through direct engagement with experienced engineers and industry professionals, students will gain deeper insights into how innovation is translated into products, solutions and technologies that improve everyday lives. The collaboration will also enhance their technical competencies, problem-solving abilities and workplace readiness, giving them a competitive edge upon graduation.
The partnership will likewise benefit Coherent Malaysia by creating a strong pipeline of future engineering and technology professionals. Through closer engagement with QIU students, the company will have the opportunity to identify, nurture and develop emerging talent that can contribute to its continued growth and innovation.
The collaboration underscores QIU’s ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful industry partnerships that enhance teaching, research and graduate employability while supporting Malaysia’s broader talent development agenda.
Together, QIU and Coherent Malaysia aim to create a collaborative ecosystem where education, research and industry work hand in hand to drive innovation, cultivate future-ready professionals and deliver lasting value to society.
