By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, 18 May 2015 – UKM Pakarunding Sdn Bhd, the consultancy arm of   The National University of Malaysia (UKM) which markets the expertise of UKM’s academics and researchers, has seen greater interest among industries in the Bangi area for its services.

UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said there has been more inquiries and demand for Pakarunding’s services lately judging by the response to the Client Appreciation Day on May 11.

Speaking in an interview with the UKM News Portal after luncheon with the clients, Prof Noor Azlan said there are opportunities for UKM’s two thousand academics to be consultants to the local industries.

“For academics, look at consultancy beyond source of income. Consider it as a test of academic excellence. This is part of being a centre of excellence.

“We are now a critical part of our delivery system. We are a very reputable group close to the clients,” he explained.

He noted that Pakarunding’s reputation was growing, citing it’s successful implementation of an electronic scoring and voting system for the 2013 National and International Quran reading competition.

Prof Noor Azlan also pointed out that Pakarunding was the first entity outside government that carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.

He added that the success of the EIA study cemented UKM’s reputation as a solution provider.

Chairman of Pakarunding Prof Dato’ Ir Dr Mohd Marzuki Mustafa agreed that its success was closely linked to talent but added that UKM should maintain the goodwill of its clients.

“Contact and networking are vital elements. We no longer can do this alone. We must maintain strategic networks,” said Prof Marzuki.

Earlier, in his speech at the luncheon, the Vice-Chancellor described Pakarunding’s task as forging closer links with reputable partners and stakeholders.

He said this is part of efforts for UKM to be financially sustainable and thanked the Bangi Industrial Association for placing their trust in UKM.

“I see them more than just clients. They are our strategic partners,” he stated.

He added that Pakarunding would be ready for more projects down the road.

UKM Pakarunding previously known as Biro Rundingan dan Inovasi was established in 1979. The company was incorporated as a corporate entity in October 2001 and started operation in January 2002, providing services for Science and Environment, Social Development and Information and Communication Technology.

Since its inception as a corporate entity, Pakarunding had provided the expertise of UKM’s academics, better known as subject experts, to cater and manage their consultancy works.