Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Advanced Energy Industries (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (AEMY) are continuing their collaboration to connect academic expertise with real-world industrial challenges through a new Research Collaboration Agreement signed on 1 October 2026 at Advanced Energy Industries (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in Simpang Ampat, Penang.

The collaboration focuses on practical industrial problem-solving in vision automation and augmented reality, bringing together expertise from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and School of Mechanical Engineering. It marks the second research collaboration between USM and AEMY following their initial collaboration in 2024.

Representing USM at the signing were the Deans of the two engineering schools, Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Shahrel Azmin Sundi @ Suandi and Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Aziz Saad. AEMY was represented by Mr. Pragalathen Krishnan, Vice President, Finance & Accounting; Mr. Tang Wen Dong, Vice President, Manufacturing; and Pn. Masliza Mansor, Director of Human Resource.

A key component of the collaboration is the development of industry-driven Final Year Projects (FYPs). AEMY will identify practical industrial challenges and provide the requirements and expected outcomes, while selected USM final-year students will develop solutions over 12 months under the supervision of USM academic experts.

AEMY will also provide industry and technical insights throughout the projects, giving students valuable exposure to real-world engineering challenges and workplace problem-solving. Each project is supported by funding of up to RM34,000, covering student stipends, travel to AEMY, and research assets and support.

Through this collaboration, USM and AEMY aim to strengthen knowledge exchange between academia and industry, while providing students with meaningful opportunities to apply their engineering knowledge to practical industrial challenges.

The USM team also expressed their sincere appreciation to AEMY for graciously hosting the signing ceremony and for the warm hospitality extended throughout the visit.

Figure 1. RCA signing with the School of Mechanical Engineering: (left) Pn. Masliza Mansor, (centre) Mr. Pragalathen Krishnan, and (right) Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Aziz Saad.

Figure 2. RCA signing with the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering: (left) Mr. Pragalathen Krishnan, (centre) Mr. Tang Wen Dong, and (right) Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Shahrel Azmin Sundi @ Suandi.