Bandar Sunway, 24 July 2014 – Sunway University receives RM200,000 in research grants from Sunway Berhad to fund two research projects. Sunway University’s Centre of Innovation and Industry Linkages and Sunway Group’s Shared Services Centre (IT SSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 18 February 2013 and it has come to fruition with a cheque presentation ceremony held at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa today.

Sunway University is collaborating with Sunway IT SSC on Information Communication Technology (ICT) related research projects and development activities.  The partnership is to create knowledge and skills through three vertical segments; applied software and technology research and development, social network knowledge using Web 2.0 technology, and talent development and recruitment for better knowledge sharing facilities and foster improved collaborative communications.

The two key projects identified by Sunway IT SSC are Social Enterprise Knowledge and Indoor GPS with the research grant of RM100,000 for each project.

“It is ultimately our intention to spur synergies between our businesses and education sector via these projects. We are passionate in strengthening our centres of excellence and to reinforce our framework to attract, develop and retain talent at Sunway. We will innovate and invest more resources into research and development for our economic and social progression. Our mission is to also achieve business agility in today’s very competitive world”, said Dato’ (Dr) Chew Chee Kin, President of Sunway Group.

Professor Graeme Wilkinson, Vice-Chancellor of Sunway University said, “Most universities have 3 missions, Teaching, Research and Knowledge Transfer. Moving towards achieving these missions, we have established links with world class universities like Lancaster University and Harvard. We are now building up our mission as a well-rounded university by applying our research and develop our knowledge transfer. Sunway University’s research is growing at a rapid pace and this partnership will enable researchers from Sunway University to assist and provide consultation services to the Sunway IT Shared Services Centre in carrying out research and development plans on specific technical issues and implementation of Knowledge Management framework using the latest internet technologies.”

“We are delighted to have built strong university-industry partnerships. These partnerships are the key to economic growth and prosperity. Many developing countries are now applying research to real issues that leave a lasting impact on society. I strongly believe that Sunway University will benefit from this collaboration as it serves as a platform for generating new ideas which will have a lasting impact on Sunway and Malaysia”, added Professor Wilkinson.

“ICT related collaboration works such as software developments and knowledge sharing and reuse, using social media platforms and other forms of academic-industry collaborating activities will provide stronger ties between Sunway University and Sunway IT Shared Services Centre. Such collaborations will spur quality innovative ideas, better product development and systematic talent nurturing processes,” said Associate Professor Dr Lim Tong Ming, Head of Centre for Innovation and Industry Linkages at Sunway University.

Associate Professor Dr Lim who will be heading the projects explained, “In the area of Social Enterprise Knowledge project, the Sunway University research team will explore the current knowledge practice and recommend effective improvement through social enterprise platform for a subsidiary of the Sunway Berhad”.

“On the Indoor GPS, our research team will develop an indoor navigation technology suitable to enhance the current system our sponsor is using in their shopping malls”, added Associate Prof Dr Lim.

This industry-academia collaboration is one of the trusts in which Sunway University is moving towards to ascertain its research led and outcome based learning endeavours. The two research projects will be the firsts of many more industry-academia collaborations to come according to Dato’ (Dr) Chew. “With the commencement of these two projects, we will be looking forward for more innovative ideas from Sunway University to benefit the Group and transform the way we do business”, remarked Dato’ (Dr) Chew.

A total of RM5.9 million grants have been given out since 2011 by the University in its efforts to produce graduates who will meet the needs of industries and to be a step closer to achieve its vision as a world class research institute. The University has also attracted and received a total of RM2.3 million in external grants for research.

 

Amongst those present at the cheque presentation ceremony were Lee Weng Keng, CEO of Sunway Group’s Education and Healthcare Division; Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of the Sunway Education Group; Cheah Kok Hoong, Chief Information Officer; Professor Peter Heard, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Dr Lau Sian Lun, Head (Academic), Department of Computer Science & Networked Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology; and Angela Lee, Lecturer, Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Science and Technology.