On 25 June 2024, Sarawak Skills and i-CATS University College (i-CATS UC) entered into memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Foshan Polytechnic, the People’s Republic of China to jointly develop and offer various customized programmes in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.
The first MoU was signed between the Sarawak Skills Development Centre and Foshan Polytechnic at the Sarawak Skills group headquarters at Tabuan Jaya, Kuching. The second MoU was signed between i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic at i-CATS UC’s campus at Jalan Stampin Timur, Kuching. The MoUs cover the development of various programmes under the “Kung Fu Workshop” initiative.
In his speech during the signing ceremony of the MoU between the Sarawak Skills Development Centre and Foshan Polytechnic, Mr. Hallman bin Sabri, Executive Director of Sarawak Skills and Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres (FMSDC) highlighted, “Sarawak Skills is honoured to be Foshan Polytechnic’s first overseas partner to embark on the “Kung Fu Workshop” initiative. The term “Kung Fu Workshop” is an international vocational and education brand initiated by Foshan Polytechnic. Foshan is known as China’s “Hometown of Martial Arts” and “Capital City of Manufacturing in China”. The brand “Kung Fu Workshop” integrates Chinese Kung Fu and vocational education ideas, craftsman experience, industrial technology and standards – truly, a novel way to promote international cooperation in the fields of vocational education and training, scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurial development.”
He continued, “The MoUs are in line with the Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions’ role as a stakeholder in the transformation of Sarawak’s digital, economic, and educational landscape, and ongoing initiatives to support the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) as well as the Sarawak Government’s ongoing initiatives in carbon reduction emission. In a nutshell, the MoUs pave the way for Sarawak Skills, i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic to synergize substantial expertise and resources to develop and eventually offer a wide range of customized programmes in hydrogen fuel cell technology. This will go a long way towards supporting Sarawak’s clean energy ambitions, specifically to become a regional green hydrogen production hub by 2027.”
Mr. Hallman also shared on recent staff talent development initiatives at Sarawak Skills, whereby ten (10) teaching personnel from Sarawak Skills and i-CATS UC completed Hydrogen Technology Training at Foshan Polytechnic and Foshan Feichi Motor Technology Co. Ltd. Following the aforementioned training, Sarawak Skills, i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic have jointly developed the “Fuel Cell Vehicle Safety Officer” and “Fuel Cell Field Engineer” programmes for both Sarawak Skills band i-CATS UC respectively.
In his speech during the signing ceremony of the MoU between i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic, Professor Dato’ Dr. Shazali Abu Mansor, Acting Vice Chancellor of i-CATS UC emphasized, “The MoU opens the door of cooperation between Foshan Polytechnic and i-CATS UC to initiate various joint activities and programmes, including student and staff exchange programmes, academic and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest, exchange of ideas, information, as well as teaching and learning materials, and organizing joint seminars and/or conferences”.
In his address during the aforementioned ceremonies, Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng, Vice President of Foshan Polytechnic expressed his appreciation to Sarawak Skills and i-CATS UC on the joint launch of the Kung Fu Workshop. He was pleased to note that Sarawak Skills and i-CATS UC have set up dedicated teaching and training facilities to support the Kung Fu Workshop. He also highlighted that the MoUs between the three (3) institutions marked an important beginning for the parties to jointly develop various strategic and talent development initiatives, including the internationalization of their respective institutions.
Mr. Hallman bin Sabri (second from right) and Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng (second from left) exchange the MoU at Sarawak Skills.
Group Photo: Mr. Hallman bin Sabri (seated, third from right) and Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng (seated, third from left) together with the management teams from Sarawak Skills, i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic.
Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng (left) and Mr. Hallman bin Sabri (right) jointly launch the Kung Fu Workshop Classroom at Sarawak Skills.
Professor Dato’ Dr. Shazali Abu Mansor, Acting Vice Chancellor of i-CATS UC (left) and Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng exchange the signed MoU witnessed by Mr. Hallman bin Sabri (centre).
