By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, March 16, 2015 – Several research and training institutes in the vicinity of Bangi are interested in having cooperation in various fields with The National University of Malaysia (UKM).

An Informal Joint Interaction Session between UKM and a number of the institutes in Bangi was held here today where it was agreed that collaboration of UKM’s expertise and the institutes’ facilities will be productive.

The inaugural luncheon gathering – organised by the Office of Industrial Relations and officiated by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali- was aimed at getting together UKM with the institutes located around Bangi.

Among those who took part were Deputy Director-General (Technical) Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) Dr Mohd Ashhar Hj Mohd Khalid and Commandant of the Civil Defence Training Academy (ALPHA) Col Abdul Wahab Rahim.

Other research and training institutes which attended the gathering were the Malaysian Tax Academy, The National Institute of Evaluation (INSPEN), TNB Research Sdn Bhd and the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (ILKAP).

Prof Noor Azlan who made the proposal said Bangi have the highest number of PhD holders in Malaysia and they can be wooed by various establishments in the vicinity.

He believes that experts from universities and institutions can find opportunities they were looking for in Bangi. “There is density, distance and distribution, the 3Ds in Bangi” saying that Bangi could one day be declared the Knowledge Centre of Southeast Asia.

Dr Ashhar said MINT – now re-branded as the Malaysian Nuclear Agency – and UKM should increase cooperation in nuclear energy research in which the university’s expertise is greatly appreciated.

“I propose collaboration in the use of a particle accelerator with the Department of Nuclear Sciences. We have a reactor and radiation centres and other nuclear laboratory facilities used by students of UKM,” Dr Ashhar said.

Col Abdul Wahab said ALPHA is willing to train employees or volunteers from UKM in the practical deployment of Civil Defence to enable them to carry out their duties and responsibilities as assigned by management from time to time.

“ALPHA is designing and implementing courses at the central level, the same as for regular officers and members of the Civil Defence Force to increase their understanding, competence and skills,” he said.

Col Abdul Wahab said all the necessary facilities and equipment are available at its training centre in Kajang.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnership) Prof Dr Imran Ho Abdullah and deans or their representatives from faculties and research centres of UKM also attended the gathering.