AutoV Chairman & CEO Bernard Kong and UNMC CEO & Provost Professor Ian Pashby at the signing of the MoU
AutoV Corporation Berhad has entered into a research and development (R & D) commercialisation collaboration with The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC), launching a key knowledge transfer initiative in Malaysia.
It is hoped that this agreement will spur greater industrial development locally allowing both partners to exploit the opportunities and knowledge gained from the partnership.
The industry-education sector collaboration was recently formalised by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Nottingham campus in Semenyih.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Kong, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Idris Mohammad Musa signed on behalf of AutoV, whilst The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus was represented by Chief Executive Officer and Provost, Professor Ian Pashby, and Vice Provost Research and Knowledge Transfer, Professor Graham Kendall.
‘AutoV is buoyed by the prospects of this smart partnership which has immense potential to be a catalyst of growth for the knowledge-based economy, which the Government promotes,’ said Kong.
‘Specifically for AutoV, we are optimistic this collaboration will expand our technology capabilities and broaden our product range, bringing us closer to the realisation of our vision to transform from a home-grown automotive parts company into an international OEM system solution supplier,’ he added.
Professor Pashby said, ‘The University of Nottingham is a research-led university, and having been in Malaysia for more than a decade now, we are in a position to effectively transfer knowledge and research expertise to local companies for the benefit of all parties. Our collaboration with industry partners such as AutoV is an ongoing endeavour which benefits researchers and enhances the learning experience of our students.’
The AutoV – UNMC collaboration had its beginnings when the university undertook a product improvement project that eventually led to the development of new side mirror tester equipment. This success provided the impetus for greater collaboration.
Now with an official agreement in place, AutoV will have greater access to the UNMC facilities and talent pool. There will be joint efforts in research and development and even commercialisation of the outcomes, which AutoV will drive and spearhead.
AutoV will reciprocate UNMC facility access and expertise by providing engineering undergraduates with on-the-job training through a structured job-placement programme at the AutoV manufacturing facilities.
This will provide real-life work experience that will prepare undergraduates for the job market. Students will be placed in the current manufacturing facilities that produce a range of products including: side mirrors, wipers and steering systems.
AutoV CEO, Bernard Kong, also added that, ‘AutoV will also be able to tap a ready pool of mechanical and electrical engineers that graduate from UNMC to build up its human resource capabilities.’
About AutoV Corporation
AutoV Corporation, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, commenced operations in 1983 to accelerate development of Malaysia’s automotive components manufacturing sector.
Its core business is the manufacturing, assembling and developing window regulator systems, wiper systems, washer systems, sun visors, side mirrors, car room lamps, steering columns and horns.
AutoV Corporation has been accredited TS16949:2009 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications by TUV Rheinland, Germany. It is a 1st Tier supplier to Proton, Perodua, Hyundai, Isuzu, Lotus, Toyota, Honda and Naza as well as 2nd Tier supplier to APM and Delphi.
Through strategic investments and collaborations, AutoV Corporation has the vision to transform from a homegrown automotive parts company into an international OEM supplier.
About The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
The University of Nottingham, described by The Times as “the embodiment of the modern international university", has award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the QS World University Rankings.
The University is committed to providing a truly international education for its 39,000 students, producing world-leading research and benefiting the communities around its campuses in the UK and Asia.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranked the University 7th in the UK by research power.
The University’s vision is to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health.
The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus is an overseas branch campus of the University of Nottingham and offers programs which are identical to the University of Nottingham in the UK.
More news from the University at: http://www.nottingham.edu.my/NewsEvents/News.aspx
University facts and figures at: www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/facts/factsandfigures.aspx
Story credits
Released by The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. Please contact Josephine Dionisappu
Posted on 27th September 2011