MoU paves the way for joint initiatives to boost education, training & innovation Partnership focuses on advancing EV & hybrid vehicle maintenance, servicing & training Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB), one of Malaysias leading automotive component manufacturers with decades of industry experience, and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Malaysias premier digital technology institution, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in electric and hybrid vehicle technology and smart manufacturing. In a statement, both parties noted that the MoU paves the way for joint initiatives designed to enhance education, training and innovation, supporting Malaysias transition towards a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy. A key focus of the partnership is advancing EV and hybrid vehicle maintenance, servicing and training. SIB, through its subsidiary MILI EV Hybrid, a leading EV/hybrid service and training centre in Malaysia, will collaborate with APU to integrate specialised training and certification programmes into APUs engineering curriculum. Planned initiatives include: Establishing a hybrid/EV training laboratory at APUs campus Embedding EV/hybrid training certification programmes for students Co-developing modules to upskill and reskill external industry professionals Leveraging MILI EV Hybrids expertise to provide real-world training and exposure The parties stated that these measures will ensure APU students gain hands-on, practical experience in sustainable automotive systems, while industry players benefit from a future-ready talent pipeline. The document was signed by Mariam Parineh, executive vice chairman of SIB, and Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, vice-chancellor of APU, and witnessed by Ir. Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir, founder and advisor of SIB, and Parmjit Singh, CEO of APU. The partnership also highlights SIBs proprietary IRIS system, an advanced industrial internet of things solution that captures real-time machine data, calculates overall equipment effectiveness, and enables data-driven decision-making. APU students will benefit from live demonstrations, site visits to SIBs facilities, and co-developed training programmes covering: IoT integration and smart factory solutions Real-time data analytics and dashboarding Downtime tracking and performance optimisation By combining SIBs industrial expertise with APUs strong academic foundation, the partnership ensures graduates are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills. Additionally, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent, driving sustainability, and strengthening Malaysias leadership in high-technology industries. Ir. Shamsuddin said, I have always believed that true impactful learning lies at the intersection of academia and practical application. Today, I am proud to witness the collaboration between the automotive manufacturing company I founded 40 years ago and the education institution I helped establish, as APIIT has evolved into one of Malaysias top universities. Together, SIB and APU are shaping a new generation of Malaysias innovative leaders. Parmjit Singh said, At APU, we constantly seek to enrich the learning experience of our students by aligning academic knowledge with practical, industry-driven applications. Partnering with Sapura Industrial Berhad exemplifies how education and industry can come together to create a meaningful impact. Our students will not only learn about the latest technologies but also engage with real-world challenges, preparing them to be highly employable, competent and future-proof professionals, he added. The MoU will remain in effect for an initial period of five years, with automatic renewal for successive terms. Both SIB and APU stated that they are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of initiatives under this collaboration, anchored in mutual benefit, trust and innovation.