UniMAP Collaborates with MDC in Concrete Research

Kangar, 20 February – Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Macro Dimension Concrete (MDC) Sdn Bhd to meet industry requirements in concrete preparation yesterday.

UniMAP Vice Chancellor Dato’ Prof Dr Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal said UniMAP through the Centre of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech) and School of Material Engineering collaborated with MDC to develop scientific research in the field.

He said discussion with CEGeoGTech on the matter begun several months before the LOI was signed yesterday.

"In addition, objectives of this LOI is to strengthen external finance, institutions or departments to conduct research activities between the two parties as well as the mobility of UniMAP staff and students," he said at the signing ceremony.

The LOI signing ceremony was held at the Vice Chancellor's Office, attended by UniMAP Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Ir. Rezuwan Kamarudin, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA) UniMAP Associate Professor Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, Director of Centre for Industrial & Governmental Collaboration (CIGC) Dr Shafriza Nisha Basah, Manager of CEGeoGTech Associate Prof Dr Mohd Mustafa Albakri Abdullah, and Dean of the School of Material Engineering Dr Mohd Firdaus Omar.

At the event, UniMAP was represented by Dr Zul Azhar while MDC was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Leow Khang Heng.

Dr Zul Azhar also added that MDC agreed to allocate scholarships to UniMAP students in addition to placement of industrial training as well as to strengthen the MDC academy.

"Even more exciting MDC Academy also offers Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programs under the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) in line with the core of UniMAP in engineering," he said.

MDC was incorporated on March 10, 1997 in Jitra, Kedah Darul Aman starting with supplying ready-made concrete for government and private construction projects. MDC is now a reliable manufacturer and supplier of ready-made concrete in the construction sector and has expended its coverage to the Klang Valley and eastern (Kuantan).