Kuala lumpur: The German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) and Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd today forged a strategic partnership in digital technology and innovation, which includes undertaking joint research and development projects with intellectual property potential in line with the national development agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, key focus areas of the partnership include the sharing of technical expertise in developing digital Standard Operating Procedures using Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence and the implementation of joint research and development projects with intellectual property potential. The strategic partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between GMI and Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd, witnessed by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman.
Zulfikri, in his speech at the event, stated that the strategic partnership between GMI and Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd would not only have a notable impact on both organisations but also contribute significantly to the country's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration between educational institutions and industry in developing highly skilled human capital, aligning with GMI's learning approach that places substantial emphasis on technical aspects.
Signing the MoU for GMI was its chief executive officer Ahmad Solihin Mohamed Yusoff, while Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd was represented by its executive chairman Arifin Marzuki. Zulfikri highlighted the collaboration as an excellent example of synergy between the education and industry sectors to empower human capital in meeting the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and global job market competition. He expressed confidence that this initiative would enhance the marketability of GMI graduates and provide long-term benefits to the country's industrial development.
At the ceremony, Bubbles O2 Sdn Bhd also contributed a grant of RM70,000 to support a final-year project to be undertaken jointly by final-year students from GMI's Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer and Information this year. GMI was established in 1991 through a collaboration between the Malaysian and German governments to provide high-quality technical education and training based on German standards. MARA is one of its founding partners and a major stakeholder.