Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB), a Malaysia-based automotive component manufacturers, and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Malaysia’s digital technology institution, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in electric and hybrid vehicle technology and smart manufacturing.

The duo said in a statement on Wednesday that the MoU paves the way for joint initiatives designed to enhance education, training and innovation, supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a knowledge-driven, technology-enabled economy.

A key focus of the partnership is advancing electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle maintenance, servicing and training.

SIB, through its subsidiary MILI EV Hybrid, an EV/hybrid service and training center in Malaysia, will collaborate with APU to integrate specialized training and certification programs into APU’s engineering curriculum.

The duo planned initiatives include establishing a hybrid/EV training laboratory at APU’s campus; embedding EV/hybrid training certification programs for students; co-developing modules to upskill and reskill external industry professionals; leveraging MILI EV Hybrid’s expertise to provide real-world training and exposure

The parties stated that these measures will ensure APU students gain hands-on, practical experience in sustainable automotive systems, while industry players benefit from a future-ready talent pipeline.

The partnership also highlights SIB’s proprietary IRIS system, an advanced industrial internet of things solution that captures real-time machine data, calculates overall equipment effectiveness, and enables data-driven decision-making.

APU students will benefit from live demonstrations, site visits to SIB’s facilities, and co-developed training programs covering internet of things (IoT) integration and smart factory solutions; real-time data analytics and dashboarding; downtime tracking and performance optimization.

By combining SIB’s industrial expertise with APU’s strong academic foundation, the partnership ensures graduates are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills.

Additionally, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent, driving sustainability, and strengthening Malaysia’s leadership in high-technology industries.

“I have always believed that true impactful learning lies at the intersection of academia and practical application,

“Today, I am proud to witness the collaboration between the automotive manufacturing company I founded 40 years ago and the education institution I helped establish, as APIIT has evolved into one of Malaysia’s top universities. Together, SIB and APU are shaping a new generation of Malaysia’s innovative leaders,” said Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir, Founder and Advisor of SIB.

Parmjit Singh said that at APU, they constantly seek to enrich the learning experience of their students by aligning academic knowledge with practical, industry-driven applications.

“Partnering with Sapura Industrial Berhad exemplifies how education and industry can come together to create a meaningful impact,

“Our students will not only learn about the latest technologies but also engage with real-world challenges, preparing them to be highly employable, competent and future-proof professionals,” he added.

The MoU will remain in effect for an initial period of five years, with automatic renewal for successive terms.

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