SET Signs MoUs with 5 Major Global Industry Partners: Daikin, Mercedes-Benz, Keysight, Hartalega and Jingxing
The School of Engineering and Technology at Sunway University recently hosted a significant event to celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five esteemed partners, marking a step forward in collaborative efforts aimed at sustainability and education. The event began with a lunch at Sunway University's Athanor restaurant, exquisitely prepared by Sunway's very own students at the School of Hospitality and Service Management.
The occasion commenced with an uplifting welcoming speech by Prof. Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University. He underscored Sunway’s foundational ethos, highlighting how the institution evolved from humble beginnings in a literal “hole in the ground” to a globally recognised educational hub, being recognised as the top university for graduate employability in Malaysia. Prof. Sibrandes spoke passionately about the university's core values, its sustainability initiatives, and its impressive rankings, asserting that Sunway's mission is deeply rooted in hope and human-centred engineering aimed at restoring the planet.
Sunway University's 5 New Partners
This was followed by speeches from 5 of the partner representatives. Mr Desmond Tay Yang Jiun, the Head of the Department of Daikin Malaysia Sales & Service Sdn Bhd —the world’s largest air conditioning manufacturer—delivered a noteworthy address. He congratulated Sunway on its progressive initiatives and introduced Daikin’s global presence in over 170 countries. With a focus on sustainability, Daikin has been awarded the Platinum Winner for Business Leadership in Sustainability Award 2024 by the Green Building Council (GBC). Mr Desmond spoke about Daikin’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality and harnessing technologies like IoT and AI to create value and a sustainable future. Speaking of Daikin's relationship with Sunway University, he also mentioned Daikin’s innovative air conditioning solutions for Sunway xFarms, an initiative aimed at promoting indoor farming.
Mr Yoon Siew Fei, the Chief Human Resources Officer of Hartalega NGC Sdn Bhd, the world's leading nitrile gloves manufacturer, followed with an insightful speech emphasising the shared vision of sustainability between the company and Sunway. Hartalega's sustainable practices in the glove industry, which contributes significantly to the realm of healthcare, showcase the importance of sustainable practices in advancing public health.
Ms Goh Chui Lang, the Senior Assistant General Manager of Jingxing Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, delivered a speech that resonated with the core values of green technology and eco-friendly manufacturing. Jingxing Holdings, one of the largest paper manufacturing conglomerates globally, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. As a company from China, Jingxing Holdings has chosen Malaysia as a location to advance its business. Ms Goh spoke about the company's highly automated and environmentally conscious paper factory located in Banting Industrial City, Malaysia, highlighting the adoption of green technologies as a testament to their commitment to sustainability.
Ms Chong Yip Wee, the Education Business Director of Keysight Technologies Sdn Bhd, shared her company's innovative strides in providing design solutions essential for electronics and educational tools. Keysight is a leading provider of electronic design and test solutions for commercial communications, aerospace, defence and government, and electronic industrial markets. This extends to solutions which can be applied in the educational sphere. Emphasising the importance of future-proofing education, Keysight aims to support learning environments with simulation design, lab tools, and educational software—tools that can empower the next generation of engineers and innovators.
Mr Gan Ken Wei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Tech Malaysia for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd, offered insights into the evolving automotive industry, touching on safety, efficiency, and the importance of software development. He noted the sector’s challenges, including cybersecurity and software integrity, and emphasised the critical role universities play as breeding grounds for the engineers of tomorrow. Interestingly, Mr Gan shared a personal connection, revealing that Prof. Angela was his lecturer 23 years ago, further underscoring the strength of academic-industry relationships.
Once all 5 speakers had shared their thoughts, the time had come for the official signing of the MoUs. The representatives from each party were:
- Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University.
- Mr Lawrence Song Yew Beng, Managing Director of Daikin Malaysia Sales & Service Sdn Bhd.
- Ms Chong Yip Wee, Education Business Director of Keysight Technologies Sdn Bhd.
- Mr Yoon Siew Fei, Chief Human Resources Officer of Hartalega NGC Sdn Bhd.
- Mr Reuben Rethinalingam, Head of Human Relations for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) & SEA II of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn
- Ms Goh Chui Lang, Senior Assistant General Manager of Jingxing Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd.
Their signings were witnessed by:
- Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, Provost of Sunway University
- Mr Desmond Tay Yang Jiun, the Head of Department of Daikin Malaysia Sales & Service Sdn Bhd
- Mr Oh Sang Ho, South Asia Pacific Regional Sales Director of Keysight Technologies Sdn Bhd.
- Mr Daryl Ooi Keat Leong, Deputy General Manager in Human Resources Shared Services of Hartalega NGC Sdn Bhd.
- Mr Gan Ken Wei, Head of Mercedes-Benz Tech Malaysia for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
- Mr Herbert Devan, Senior Thermal Power Plant Operations Manager of Jingxing Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd.
Closing Remarks
Prof. Ir Denny Ng Kok Sum, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, delivered the closing remarks, reinforcing the university's dedication to its net-zero initiative and decarbonisation goals. He highlighted automated practices, such as automated air conditioning systems designed to reduce emissions, as well as sustainable solutions like solar panels, battery storage systems, and rainwater harvesting. He also shared his belief in the potential of the partnerships freshly established, hoping for them to bear fruit.
Inauguration Ceremony & Lab Tour
The formal part of the event concluded with an inauguration ceremony held upstairs to reveal a plaque featuring the logos of all 5 partners, which were signed by them. Student volunteers stood ready with confetti cannons to add a bit of fun to the occasion. The guests were then given a tour of the School of Engineering and Technology's newly-completed labs before refreshments were served.
This landmark event at Sunway University not only celebrated the signing of MoUs but also showcased the importance of collaborative efforts in building a future rooted in sustainability, education, and technological advancement. The partnerships formed will undoubtedly contribute to the realisation of a shared vision for not only a more sustainable university but also a more sustainable planet.
