FMM Explores Strategic Industry–Academia Collaboration with MSU

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing  (FMM), led by FMM President Mr Jacob Lee Chor Kok, paid a courtesy visit to Professor Tan Sri Dato' Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, President and Founder of Management and Science University (MSU), on July 14, 2026 at the MSU Main Campus in Shah Alam. The FMM delegation included President Emeritus Tan Sri Dato' (Dr) Soh Thian Lai, Deputy President Dato' Andrew Goh, FMM Vice Presidents and members of senior management. In conjunction with the visit, FMM and MSU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.

The discussion explored opportunities for collaboration aligned with FMM's four strategic pillars, namely policy advocacy and industry development; technology adoption in artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, automation, robotics and cybersecurity; market expansion and internationalisation; and talent development and leadership.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of FMM and MSU to building a strategic partnership beyond the signing of the MOU. Both parties agreed that closer industry-academia collaboration is essential to strengthen Malaysia's competitiveness by accelerating innovation, research commercialisation and talent development aligned with industry needs. Universities were encouraged to work more closely with industry to translate research into practical and commercially viable solutions that support the country's transition to a technology-driven economy.

Moving forward, FMM and MSU will explore pilot collaborative projects, strengthen engagement between researchers and industry, undertake joint policy advocacy on innovation and talent development, and establish platforms to facilitate collaboration between manufacturers and academia. These initiatives aim to deliver tangible outcomes that benefit both industry and higher education while enhancing Malaysia's long-term economic competitiveness.