Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (Perodua) have entered a new phase of collaboration aimed at advancing Malaysia’s automotive engineering capabilities, particularly in the field of electrified vehicles (xEV).
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) exchange ceremony, marking the launch of the PERODUA–UTM xEV Engineering Programme. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to strengthening human capital development and driving innovation in electric mobility solutions.
Under the five-year agreement, between 10 and 15 high-performing students from UTM’s Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honours) programme will be selected annually to participate. The specialised programme spans approximately 18 months, beginning in the second semester of the students’ third year.
Participants will undergo a 10-week industrial training placement at Perodua, where they will gain first-hand exposure to real-world automotive engineering practices. In addition, students will have the opportunity to earn the internationally recognised Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Level 3 certification, further enhancing their professional credentials.
To ensure strong industry alignment, each student’s Final Year Project (FYP) will be co-supervised by Perodua engineers, ensuring that research outcomes meet current industry standards and expectations.
UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Abdul Rahim, described the collaboration as a significant step towards narrowing the gap between academia and industry.
He highlighted that the establishment of the PERODUA–UTM xEV Engineering Laboratory, equipped with advanced tools and systems, will give graduates a competitive edge.
The integration of battery electric vehicle (BEV) engineering electives into the curriculum, along with access to cutting-edge simulation technologies such as Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems, is expected to ensure graduates remain highly relevant in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
Meanwhile, Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, emphasised that the initiative reflects the company’s proactive approach in building a sustainable and globally competitive xEV ecosystem.
According to him, the collaboration goes beyond knowledge sharing, serving as a long-term investment in nurturing future-ready engineers with strong expertise in electric vehicle engineering. Through direct mentorship from Perodua’s engineering team, students will gain valuable insights into the realities of the modern automotive industry.
In support of the programme, Perodua has also contributed technical equipment as well as two units of the Perodua QV-E for hands-on training at the newly established lab.
This partnership further reinforces UTM’s commitment to strengthening industry ties, ensuring that talent development and innovation remain aligned with current market demands, while contributing to Malaysia’s broader sustainability goals and the continued growth of its automotive sector.
