Shah Alam, Selangor – 22 October 2025 – In a landmark move to accelerate Malaysia’s advancement in the global digital economy, IME Group of Companies (IME), a leading provider of engineering design and manufacturing solutions, and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), a premier technical university, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Digital Transformation.
The signing ceremony, held during IME SOLIDWORKS Innovation Day 2026, marks a strategic commitment by both institutions to fuel the nation’s economic development through digitalisation — ensuring Malaysia remains competitive in the era of Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The CoE forms a key part of IME’s mission to build a robust innovation ecosystem in Malaysia. It is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice — creating a powerful pipeline of future-ready talent and cutting-edge research to support national growth.
“Digital transformation is no longer a future concept — it is a present-day imperative. Our 45 years of experience in the industry have shown that a nation’s competitiveness depends on its people’s skills and the adoption of advanced technologies,” said Teoh Jia Yuan, Executive Vice President of IME Group of Companies. “This Centre of Excellence with UTHM is more than a collaboration; it is an investment in Malaysia’s future. Together, we are co-creating a hub of innovation that will nurture the future workforce of Malaysia’s digital economy. Our goal is to position UTHM — and by extension, Malaysia — as a regional beacon for advanced engineering and smart manufacturing.”
Positioning UTHM as a Regional Leader in Digital Innovation
The CoE will be strategically developed to elevate UTHM’s leadership in several high-impact domains:
- Advanced Engineering & Industry 4.0: Equipping students and researchers with the latest tools in virtual twin technology, AI-driven simulation, and smart factory concepts.
- Digital Construction (Construction 4.0): Driving the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) aligning towards the national mandate spearheaded by CIDB supported by JKR and digital project management intended to increase efficiency, improve collaboration, reduce costs, and support sustainable construction practices.
- Smart Manufacturing: Establishing a live lab for robotics, automation, and connected manufacturing systems.
“This partnership with IME represents a major step forward in UTHM’s mission to deliver transformative education and impactful research,” said Prof. Ts. Dr. Rabiah binti Ahmad, FASc, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), UTHM. “It enables us to integrate industry-grade technology and real-world challenges into our curriculum and research labs. Our students will graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but with certified, hands-on experience on the very platforms driving global industry today. This CoE will be a crucible for innovation — attracting talent, ideas, and partnerships across the region.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The IME–UTHM Centre of Excellence will encompass several strategic pillars:
- Training and Certification Programmes: UTHM will serve as a certified training hub for the Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE and SOLIDWORKS platforms, producing graduates with globally recognised credentials highly valued by industry.
- R&D Collaboration: Joint research between IME industry experts and UTHM academics will focus on solving real-world industrial challenges, with potential for commercialising intellectual property and securing external grants.
- Internship and Employment Pathways: IME will offer priority internship placements for top UTHM students, creating a direct pathway to high-value careers in engineering and technology — helping retain Malaysian talent.
- Joint Events and Knowledge Sharing: The CoE will host industry seminars, innovation challenges, and conferences, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that connects students, academics, and industry leaders.
This initiative aligns directly with Malaysia’s national agenda to enhance competitiveness and talent development, making a tangible contribution to the country’s digital transformation journey.
Other Highlights from IME Innovation Day 2026
- IME Group of Companies marks its 45th Anniversary — celebrating “45 Years of Pioneering Innovation and Excellence” under the theme “Let’s Amaze Together.” The event also commemorates 30 years of SOLIDWORKS, honouring three decades of global engineering creativity and innovation.
- Now in its 19th year, IME Innovation Day remains Malaysia’s premier design and engineering event, attracting thousands of professionals, academics, and industry stakeholders nationwide.
- SOLIDWORKS SkillForce Programme LOI Exchanges with:
- Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) – Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan, Deputy President International, Industrial & Institutional Partnership (IIIP)
- Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) – Ir. Ts. Dr. Lailatul Harina binti Paijan (Deputy Dean – Postgraduates & Research)
- Taylor’s University – Assoc Prof Dr. Choo Hui Leng, Programme Director for Mechanical Engineering
- The SkillForce Programme empowers students through global engineering certifications, authorised training, and internship readiness — strengthening employability and technical competence.
- National MCAD Training and Certification Programme: In collaboration with MIMOS, IME will upskill over 150 individuals with industry-recognised certifications in line with New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030. Participants who complete the programme will earn the Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) credential.
Witnessed by Industry Leaders
The MOU signing between IME, represented by Mr. Teoh Jia Yuan, Executive Vice President and Mr. Sew Chang Wei, Head of Sales, IME Group of Companies, and Prof. Ts. Dr. Rabiah binti Ahmad, FASc, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) and Tuan Haji Naim bin Maslan, Pendaftar/ Chief Operating Officer (COO), UTHM, was witnessed by:
- Dato’ Sri Ibrahim bin Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Directors, UTHM
- Datuk Julia Wee, Co-founder and Director, IME Group of Companies
- Mr. William Lee, Director of Channel Sales, Asia Pacific South, Dassault Systèmes
The SOLIDWORKS SkillForce Programme LOI exchanges were also officiated by Mr. Teoh Jia Yuan and the respective university leadership.
Quote from IME Group of Companies – Founder and Director, Mr. Teoh Tuan Ka
“As we celebrate IME’s 45-year journey, we are reminded that innovation thrives through collaboration — between industries, academia, associations, and government. Together, we create synergy and sustainability for Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 future. IME will continue empowering the next generation of innovators and driving transformation across sectors.”