UTM Celebrates Excellence in Industry Engagement with Prof. Dr. Suhairul Hashim’s Achievement
On November 6, 2024, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted an inspiring sharing session with Prof. Dr. Suhairul Hashim, the esteemed recipient of the Industry Engagement Award (Anugerah Keterlibatan Industri, AKI) at the Citra Karisma 2024 awards ceremony. This session, held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., brought together faculty, students, and industry partners to celebrate and learn from Prof. Suhairul’s outstanding contributions to industry collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Suhairul Hashim, a respected figure in the Physics Department, was honored for his achievements in fostering valuable partnerships between UTM and the industry, which enhance research, innovation, and practical applications of scientific knowledge. His work has been instrumental in aligning UTM’s academic objectives with real-world needs, benefitting both the university community and its industry partners.
The Citra Karisma awards recognize UTM members who excel in various fields, promoting a culture of excellence, integrity, and impactful contributions to society. Prof. Suhairul’s award reflects his dedication to elevating UTM’s research profile and advancing meaningful connections with industry, a vital component of UTM’s mission to drive knowledge-based development and innovation.
The sharing session provided valuable insights into the challenges and successes in building effective industry partnerships, offering participants a unique perspective on the value of collaboration in today’s rapidly evolving world. Attendees left inspired, armed with new ideas and an appreciation for the pivotal role of industry engagement in academic and professional growth.
Fostering Industry Partnerships: Insights from the Industrial Engagement Award Session
In a recent session dedicated to celebrating the Industrial Engagement Award, faculty members and researchers were encouraged to embrace industry partnerships as pathways for innovation and professional growth. By highlighting successful engagement strategies, this event underscored the critical role of academia-industry collaboration in driving mutual benefits. The speaker framed industrial engagement as a proactive, collaborative relationship that fosters innovation, urging academic professionals to actively pursue these partnerships. While acknowledging challenges, such as bureaucratic hurdles and cautious industry attitudes, particularly in Malaysia’s developing landscape of academia-industry collaboration, the speaker highlighted the need to overcome these barriers through persistent engagement and professionalism.
For industry partnerships to succeed, academic staff must build credibility through reliability and professionalism, meeting high standards without compromising integrity. Criteria for achieving industrial engagement awards include leadership, impact, funding acquisition, publication, and collaboration. Comprehensive documentation, evidence of impact, and testimonials are crucial in establishing a compelling case for such awards. This structured approach allows academics to showcase the real-world benefits of their collaborations, reinforcing the significance of sustained, long-term partnerships over one-off engagements. To bolster trust with industry partners, academics are encouraged to demonstrate clear, mutual advantages in projects and create portfolios that reflect sustained impact and leadership.
The session also showcased specific project insights, including collaborations with Johor Port and Kuantan Port, and engagements with agencies like atomic energy bodies. Noteworthy projects, such as the deployment of a radiation detection system to enhance port safety, illustrate the value of academic-industry partnerships in addressing real-world challenges. Moreover, student involvement in these projects emphasizes skill development, bridging the gap between academia and industry, as many graduates transition directly into relevant industry roles. Innovations in nuclear security, including counter-drone technology and advanced radiation safety protocols, further underscore the practical impacts of these collaborations.
The event concluded with advice for future award applicants, encouraging a balanced approach to academic work, industry engagement, and continuous learning. Faculty are advised to reach out to past awardees for guidance, maintain realistic expectations, and embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. In closing, the speaker reinforced the message that industrial engagement is a journey of professional and personal growth, urging academic professionals to approach it with enthusiasm and dedication, recognizing its potential to drive lasting change.
Video had been summarized using ChatGPT with the assistance of Video Summarizer (thegeneralmind.com) and SciSpace (scisapce.com)