UniKL MIDI, the first academic institute with a railway coach model

YB Dato Henry Sum Agong (fifth from left) in a photo session with other VIPs and industry players, in front of the railway coach model. – Team SCU TDA

Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)’s Cheras-based campus, UniKL Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) becomes the first academic institute in the country to have a real-sized railway coach model to produce more homegrown talents in the industry.

It has been handed over by KTK DOM Railway Sdn Bhd to UniKL MIDI under the Industrial Collaboration Program (ICP) – a value-added programme regulated by Technology Depository Agency Berhad (TDA) in collaboration with MRT Corporation as the procurement agency.

Notably, the handover official ceremony was graced by the guest of honour, Deputy Minister of Transport, YB Dato Henry Sum Agong.

YBhg. Tuan Timothy John (second from left) is giving an explanation to YB Dato Henry Sum Agong (right) about the railway coach model. – Team SCU TDA

YB Dato Henry Sum Agong expressed his confidence that the coach model will help UniKL to produce more skilled and professional workers with a wide range of knowledge to meet the high demand of the industry.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Transport (MoT), I would like to congratulate and express my highest gratitude to KTK DOM for handing over the railway coach model to UniKL and through this effort, UniKL will be able to prepare more professional and knowledgeable talents for the industry.

“The MoT envisions Malaysia’s railway industry becoming a strong and sustainable business sector by 2030 that is capable of meeting the demands of the nation’s rail transportation industry and global players in optimising the use of local resources and technology.

“We expect to achieve that in nine years and one of the things that we are going to emphasise is creating the semi-skilled and skilled workers with high quality and are recognised internationally,” he said in his officiating remarks at the ceremony, today.

The coach model comes along with a complete interior components and passenger information system whereby it will be utilised for research and practice purposes.

A student from UniKL MIDI (right) is giving an explanation about one of the facilities available at the campus to YB Dato Henry Sum Agong (second from right). – Team SCU TDA

It is not only provided for the UniKL MIDI’s students but also offered for the usage of agencies by interest and rail industry players.

Before officiating the coach model handover ceremony, YB Dato Henry Sum Agong undertook an approximately 30-minute tour of the campus facilities and training centres including Train Operator Simulation, Heat Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) System, Interlocking System and Electrification System.

Also present, Special Adviser (Education) to Minister of Rural Development, YBhg. Datuk Dr. Haji Azhar Ahmad; MoT’s Land Division Under Secretary, YBhg. Encik Wan Mohd Asraf Wan Salleh; TDA Chief Executive Officer, YBhg. Dr. Sharoul Jambari; MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer, YBhg. Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim; National Rail Centre of Excellence (NRCOE) Chief Consultant, YBhg. Tuan Hasry Harun; KTK DOM Industries Malaysia Sdn Bhd, YBhg. Tuan Timothy John; Director of Vocational and Technical, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), YBhg. Ir. Nuriman Yusop; Chairman of MARA Corporation Sdn Bhd, YB Senator Dato’ Wira Othman Haji Aziz; Chairman of UniKL, YBhg. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Sukiman Sarmani; Fellow of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford University and Board Member of UniKL, YBhg. Orang Kaya-Kaya Imam Paduka Tuan Perak Dato’ Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti; and President/Chief Executive Officer of UniKL, YBhg. Datuk Dr. Roziah Omar.