GEORGE TOWN, Oct 13 — Wawasan Open University (WOU) has signed new partnerships with three Penang-based organisations to strengthen its role in bridging academia and industry, with a focus on equipping the state’s workforce for Industry 4.0 and the digital economy.
At a ceremony held at its main campus, WOU formalised Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Fourier TVET Centre, MI Equipment Sdn Bhd and 3REN Berhad. The signing was witnessed by InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, alongside representatives from government, academia and industry.
The collaborations mark a further step in WOU’s efforts to co-develop flexible, industry-aligned learning pathways that serve talent needs across the electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductor, automation and medical technology sectors.
WOU chief executive and vice-chancellor Prof Dr Lily Chan said the university’s expanding network of alliances reflects its commitment to closing the skills gap and nurturing sustainable talent pipelines that support Penang’s long-term growth in high-tech industries.
“Recognising Penang as the Silicon Valley of the East, it is essential for education institutions like WOU to play a central role in shaping the region’s talent landscape,” she said.
Prof Chan said the new partnerships build on WOU’s established collaborations in the E&E sector while extending its reach into the fast-growing medical technology field.
“Together, these partnerships will ensure industries gain the advanced skills required to innovate, scale and compete globally, while reinforcing Malaysia’s broader digital economy agenda in line with the National Semiconductor Strategy and AI Nation 2030 aspiration,” she added.
Loo welcomed the collaborations, saying they represent an important expansion of Penang’s talent development ecosystem as the state cements its position as a regional manufacturing hub.
“With its flexible, industry-aligned model, WOU ensures that employees can continue working while upgrading their skills and pursuing accredited qualifications. Such pathways are essential not only to bridge the talent gap, but also to future-proof Penang’s position as a globally competitive hub for advanced technology,” she said.
Loo added that the initiative aligns with the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint’s goal to promote lifelong learning and ensure local talents remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.
Under the partnership, WOU will team up with Fourier TVET Centre — the only City & Guilds (UK)–authorised training centre worldwide — to co-deliver a Skills Diploma in Mechatronic Technology, covering PLC and HMI programming, motion control, systems design and fault finding.
With MI Equipment, a Penang-based innovator in semiconductor equipment solutions, WOU’s collaboration will offer corporate rebates for employees pursuing studies in engineering, business, data analytics, digital technologies and leadership.
Meanwhile, through 3REN Berhad, a public-listed automation and engineering company, WOU will provide pathways for staff to pursue its Bachelor of Technology degrees in Mechatronics and Electronics, as well as the Commonwealth Executive MBA.
These programmes will be offered through WOU Academy, the university’s corporate upskilling arm, with academic direction from its faculties in technology, engineering, business and digital technology.
WOU said the partnerships reaffirm its mission to remain open and industry-aligned while strengthening Penang’s competitiveness in the global technology landscape.
