ONE of the leading universities in Australia, The University of Wollongong (UOW) is set to offer high quality tertiary education in Batu Kawan, Penang in January 2020.
The KDU University College, KDU Penang University College, and KDU College who are members of the Paramount Education are collaborating with the UOW.
UOW’s wholly-owned subsidiary, UOW Global Enterprises will be taking up a majority stake in the business and operations of KDU Penang University College.
According to the Paramount Corporation Berhad Group chief executive officer Jeffrey Chew, the strategic partnership between Paramount and the UOW, which is an Australian public university, will enhance KDU’s tertiary education business.
“In 2014, Paramount inked a deal with Penang Development Corporation to purchase 30 acres of freehold land in Batu Kawan.
“The signing has enabled Paramount to build Penang’s first university metropolis in this fast-growing district.
“The new campus will feature facilities that deliver a state-of-the-art university college experience, with a comprehensive range of academic, sports and recreational facilities, creating a live-and-learn, work-and-play environment that stimulates and promotes learning,” Chew told a press conference at the KDU Penang University College on July 4.
The strong partnership between Paramount and UOW will elevate KDU Penang University College as a research-based campus as they will be providing postgraduates programmes and enhancing the education system to meet the Industry 4.0.
The UOW will be having its very own campus at the Batu Kawan as a result of the joint venture between Paramount and UOW Global Enterprises.
Chew also stated that by having a campus at Batu Kawan, which is also home to the growing Batu Kawan Industrial Park, KDU Penang University College would also be able to collaborate with employers to provide students with more opportunities to undertake internships and participate in professional activities.
“Similarly, the staff of KDU Penang will be able to collaborate with the manufacturing and commercial industries nearby to carry out joint research projects, which will bring tremendous benefits to the University College in the long run.
“Programmes can be work-integrated and community-integrated to prepare job-ready graduates and incorporate sustainability as a component of their curricula,” he added.
Chew also believes the university will be attracting students from the northern region who intend to pursue their higher studies at the Australian universities.
Noel Cornish Am, director & chairman of UOW Malaysia of UOW Global Enterprises who was present, said that the UOW which is considered one of the best modern universities in the world, desires to make a significant contribution to Malaysian education.
“UOW’s global network will contribute to the promotion of Malaysia as the ASEAN hub for international education.
“We are looking to develop a strong regional engagement with Penang’s renowned manufacturing strengths in electronics, telecommunications and industrial machinery as well as with your rapidly growing services sector and also with your emerging start-up capabilities.
“Not only that, we also intend to produce entrepreneurial graduates in Penang, with a global outlook, technology enabled skills and strong language capabilities.
“Our graduates will contribute to the Penang2030 vision of enhancing quality of life, upgrading the economy, empowering civic participation and investing in the environment,” Cornish added.
Deputy Chief Minister Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said the state did not only want to produce graduates for the sake of filling up the job market but also thinking individuals.
“Universities should be able to produce individuals who can think critically, not merely to secure them a job.
“This collaboration will not only benefit Penang but the northern region as a whole, and I commend the move taken by Paramount to joint venture with UOW,” added Ramasamy.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting