- CoE bridges academia & industry, equipping students with real-world skills
- Partnership unites industry & academia to nurture future-ready engineers & innovators
Innovation today goes beyond creating — it’s about reimagining how ideas take shape and influence the world around us. Taking a bold step in this direction, IME Group of Companies (IME) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Digital Transformation, marking a key move to drive Malaysia’s next wave of innovation.
The partnership, formalised during IME SOLIDWORKS Innovation Day 2026, establishes a hub where industry expertise meets academic excellence, nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators poised to lead the nation’s digital economy.
The MOU signing between IME was represented by Teoh Jia Yuan, executive vice president and Sew Chang Wei, head of Sales, IME Group of Companies, and Prof. Dr. Rabiah, FASc, deputy vice-chancellor (Research & Innovation) and Haji Naim, pendaftar/ chief operating officer, UTHM, was witnessed by Ibrahim, chairman, board of directors, UTHM, Julia Wee, co-founder and director, IME Group of Companies and. William Lee, director of Channel Sales, Asia Pacific South, Dassault Systèmes.
“Digital transformation is now a present-day imperative. This Centre of Excellence with UTHM is an investment in Malaysia’s future, nurturing the next-generation workforce and positioning the university as a regional leader in engineering and smart manufacturing,” said Teoh Jia Yuan.
Bridging academia and industry
The CoE is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs, giving students more than just theoretical knowledge. The programme focuses on three high-impact areas:
- Advanced Engineering & Industry 4.0: Students explore virtual twin technology, AI-driven simulations, and smart factory systems, turning complex concepts into practical solutions.
- Digital Construction (Construction 4.0): Through Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital project management, students learn to streamline efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability in real-world projects.
- Smart Manufacturing: A live lab featuring robotics, automation, and connected manufacturing systems allows students to transform theory into tangible innovation.
“The CoE gives students not just theory but real-world skills, preparing them to contribute immediately once they enter the workforce,” said Prof. Dr. Rabiah.
To make this vision a reality, the CoE is structured around four strategic pillars:
- Training and Certification: UTHM serves as a certified centre for Dassault Systèmes’ platforms, giving students globally recognised qualifications that employers value.
- R&D Collaboration: IME experts and UTHM academics work together on projects that solve real-world challenges, with opportunities to commercialise innovations and secure funding.
- Internships and Career Pathways: Top students gain priority access to internships, creating direct routes into high-value engineering and technology roles while retaining local talent.
- Knowledge Sharing and Industry Engagement: The CoE hosts workshops, innovation challenges, and conferences, creating a vibrant ecosystem where students, academics, and industry leaders connect and collaborate.
Prof. Dr. Rabiah noted that the partnership with IME allows UTHM to embed industry-grade technology and real-world challenges directly into its curriculum and labs. Graduates leave not only with strong theoretical foundations but also with certified, hands-on experience, while the CoE itself becomes a regional hub for innovation, talent, and collaboration.
Real experience, real advantage
A standout feature of the initiative is the SOLIDWORKS SkillForce Programme, created after extensive conversations with schools, industry partners, and students. Interns get hands-on access to commercial-grade engineering tools, structured internships, and certifications like Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) and Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA).
Students who achieve their CSWA certification gain free access to 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Premium or SOLIDWORKS Premium with Cloud Services licenses when they begin three- or six-month internships or co-op placements. This empowers them to work on real-world engineering projects, emerging with both the skills and credentials needed to stand out in today’s competitive, digital-first job market.
William added, “Through SkillForce, interns earn industry-recognised certifications, stepping into the workforce ready to contribute from day one. The program cultivates a shared ecosystem that shapes future-ready talent.”
Expanding the ecosystem
The CoE is just part of a bigger strategy. IME also signed Letters of Intent (LoI) with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), and Taylor’s University to extend the SkillForce programme nationwide.
The LoI will enable joint initiatives such as industry workshops, innovation challenges, and collaborative research, bringing together students, academics, and industry leaders. Over time, these efforts are expected to strengthen Malaysia’s talent pipeline and keep the nation competitive in the global digital economy.
In collaboration with MIMOS, the National MCAD Training and Certification Programme supported by IME, has successfully upskilled over 150 participants with industry-recognised certifications aligned with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030. Graduates of the programme will earn the (CSWP) credential.
The launch also marks a meaningful milestone, coinciding with IME’s 45th anniversary and SOLIDWORKS’ 30th — a joint celebration of decades of innovation, engineering excellence, and industry leadership. Now in its 19th edition, IME Innovation Day remains Malaysia’s leading design and engineering event, drawing thousands of professionals, academics, and industry players each year.
Together, these milestones reflect IME and SOLIDWORKS’ shared commitment to nurturing future-ready engineers and driving Malaysia’s digital transformation and Industry 4.0 ambitions.
Discover more about IME Innovation Day and the innovations shaping Malaysia’s engineering future at www.imetech.com.my
