KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — Higher education institutions (IPTs) are advised to be receptive to suggestions from industry players when formulating their academic syllabus.

PKT Logistic Group Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Micheal Tio said with their better insights into the development of their respective sectors, industry leaders may assist IPTs in preventing mismatches between academic syllabuses and the actual needs of industries, ensuring higher employability for graduates.

“It is important for industry players to be consulted in the curriculum review. This can ensure that the IPTs can supply future graduates that meet our needs.

“The same goes in the field of research. IPTs should focus on research topics that are relevant and needed by industries. Researchers need to understand that they should be doing research on what the industry wants to know now,” he said.

He said this when appearing as a panellist at the “Pendekatan Baharu Program Pemindahan dan Pemindahan Ilmu dalam Membangunkan Negara, Industri dan Komuniti” forum during the Higher Education Ministry Strategic Discourse here.

Tio said the collaboration between industry and academia could be enhanced through the involvement of industry leaders in the academic advisory board of IPTs and by providing senior lecturers with exposure to or training on the inner workings of the industries.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) vice-chancellor Prof Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, said in the same forum that IPTs and industry players should adopt the approach taken by other developed nations in terms of sharing innovations and product developments.

“The important thing is to figure out how to assimilate knowledge available at universities into companies in order to sustain social innovation for the benefit of the people and country during these challenging times,” he said. — Bernama

TERENGGANU: PKT Logistics Group (PKT) chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Management from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu during its 21st convocation ceremony on Oct 22.

This prestigious recognition highlights Tio's contributions to the field of logistics management and his dedication to excellence.

After receiving the doctorate from UT chancellor Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Tio said, "This honour will further enhance the already close academia-industry relationship between UMT and PKT. Together we will make logistics great in Malaysia".

Tio is also an Adjunct Professor at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

He is also a Collaborative Professor for Osaka University. In 2019, he was awarded the Best CEO from the Higher Education Department for his contributions to the CEO@Faculty Programme.

He received his first Honorary Doctorate in Logistics Management from UUM in 2018. Last year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from University of Gloucestershire,UK and an Honorary Doctorate in Business from University of Plymouth, UK.

Currently, he is the Chairman of Industry Advisory Council chariman for Politeknik Seberang Perai, Industry Advisory Council member of Department of Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges, and Champion of the Logistics Productivity Nexus under Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).

UNIVERSITI Malaysia Terengganu’s (UMT) Faculty of Maritime Studies has awarded an honorary doctorate in management to PKT Logistics Group chief executive and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio.

This recognition highlights Tio’s contributions in the field of logistics management and his dedication to excellence, especially in his capacity as a logistics professional who took over the family business when he returned from United Kingdom in 1996.

He led PKT to become a billion-ringgit company.

He received the doctorate from UMT chancellor Sultanah Nur Zahirah during the university’s 21st convocation in Kuala Terengganu.

Tio said, “This honour will further enhance the close academia-industry relationship between UMT and PKT.

“Together we will make logistics great in Malaysia.”

Last year, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in philosophy from University of Gloucestershire, UK, and an honorary doctorate in business from University of Plymouth, UK.

Currently, Tio is the Politeknik Seberang Perai Industry Advisory Council chairman, Department of Polytechnic Education and Community College Malaysia Industry Advisory Council member, and Logistics Productivity Nexus champion under Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) symbolising a significant step toward aligning academia and industry.

It was signed by UMT vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and PKT Logistics Group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio, in May.

The partnership included commitment to various collaborative efforts including student and staff training, research, academic collaborations, knowledge transfer and sharing industry insights.

Estimated to be worth more than RM700,000, the collaboration involved 100 students under the 2023 Penjana “Smart Logistician” Programme, supported by RM460,000 in funding from the Higher Education Ministry.

The “Smart Logistician” ran for 15 days this month and zoomed in on areas including logistics and transportation, warehouse operations, safety regulations and freight transport.

A unique module called Fundamental of IoT in Production was also introduced with RM90,000 in funding from PKT Logistics Group, endorsed by Rexroth Bosch – a pioneering leader in IoT technology.

Held at The Ship Campus in Penang, the programme saw participants receive full sponsorship for lodging and meals at the Peninsula Student Resident and access to The Ship Campus facilities and amenities including accommodation, lecture halls and libraries during the programme.

Crucial to the programme’s success were the participation of the Industry Centre of Excellence (Maritime Cluster) and Entrepreneurship and Career Centre at UMT.

The primary goal was to enhance participants’ skills through hands-on learning and work-based experience, equipping them with practical knowledge relevant to logistics and transportation, aimed at achieving an 80% or higher job placement rate.

UMT, on the other hand, leveraged its expertise to conduct research enhancing management efficiency and operational practices within Malaysia’s logistics firms.

Upon completion of the programme, students who engage in comprehensive work-based learning experience with PKT Logistics Group will receive a monthly salary of at least RM2,300 over a six-month period.

PKT Logistics Group also introduced the PKT Excellence Award, offering RM5,000 annually and employment opportunities within the company to three outstanding UMT students.

The award scheme also included academic programmes within UMT’s Maritime Studies Faculty.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd (PKT) will collaborate on student and staff training, research, academics, knowledge transfer and experience sharing with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU was signed by UMT vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and PKT chief executive and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio in Langkawi on May 25, a press release read.

Estimated to be worth more than RM700,000, the MoU includes a collaboration involving 100 students under the 2023 Penjana “Smart Logistician” Programme.

This programme involves the implementation of training modules related to the logistics industry as well as the use of Internet of things technology in warehouse operations that will be conducted for 15 days at The Ship Campus (TSC) in Penang.

Upon completing the training, all students will be offered work at PKT in various warehouse locations, including in Shah Alam, Penang and Kulim.

PKT Excellence Awards, which include a cash prize, will also be presented to three top students annually.

Students who receive the awards will undergo the academic programme at the varsity’s Faculty of Maritime Studies, and be offered a job at PKT.

They will also benefit from facilities like dormitories, rooms, lecture halls, and libraries at TSC.

With the vasrsity’s expertise in shipping and logistics operations, UMT researchers strive to carry out studies in improving the level of governance, management and operations of logistics companies in Malaysia.

UMT and PKT will initiate a strategic study to position Malaysia as the primary logistics hub in Asean.

The study will involve Malaysian industry players, supported by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation.