UniMAP Establish RETRACE, Focus on Lifelong Learning
Kulim, November 2nd - Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) established the Research Training and Continuous Education Centre (RETRACE) which will focus on research aspects and postgraduate studies targeting 20,000 employees from the industrial sector in Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).
The Vice-Chancellor, Brig. Gen. Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin Hussin said that RETRACE, which has been fully operating at the Anjung UniMAP Kulim office in KHTP, is part of an initiative by UniMAP to cultivate continuing education activities and research among KHTP.
According to him, the establishment of RETRACE also starts from the top leadership of the State government to boost the development of KHTP citizens holding higher degree in order to become a research industrial park.
Dr. Kamarudin said that the increase of highly qualified staff is the main criteria that will help to boost the status of the technology park into a Research Industrial Park, a higher status than the current status.
"So, for starters, UniMAP will offer a variety of Master's and Doctoral courses other than offering short-term courses with the initial focus on the existing courses that have been offered in UniMAP.
"Through this initiative, we hope to support the agenda of the state government in the development of highly skilled human capital to continue the development of companies based in the industrial parks thereby increasing the percentage of employees who have a higher degree," he said.
He was speaking at the Launching Ceremony of RETRACE Mixed Mode Study Offer in Anjung UniMAP Kulim here today.
Also present were the President of Kulim Technology Park Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (KTPC) Dato 'Dr. Anuar Mohd. Saffar, Strategic Director for Intel Engineering Malaysia, Mohd. Parid Sulaiman and UniMAP Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and International, Dato 'Prof. Dr. Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal.
According to Dr. Kamarudin, RETRACE was established with the support and commitment of the state government and the industry in which KTPC has given a great rental exemption to UniMAP for a period of two years involving a cost of RM240, 000.
In addition, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) has agreed to sponsor the construction of research laboratories worth RM1.4 million for which it would be of great benefit to the students to carry out research and experiments.
"UniMAP will also provide complete facilities to the students such as halls and lecture rooms, computer labs, a discussion and a mini library equipped with books and access to remote online resources.
"It includes access to 1.7 million e-books, 15,000 e-journals and other virtual and online references from around the world to students in RETRACE to meet the information needs of teaching, learning and research," he added.
