Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and StarFive Technology International Sdn Bhd (StarFive Technology) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday (May 16), to enhance the quality of UTP’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Computer Engineering undergraduate degree programmes.
UTP said that both programmes are under the purview of UTP’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE).
“Under the MoU, both parties will work together in the areas of student mobility programme, academic staff exchange, research collaboration and joint academic activities,” UTP said in a statement.
Signing the MoU were UTP deputy vice-chancellor (Academic), Professor Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar (representing UTP vice-chancellor, Professor Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib) and StarFive Technology vice-president and general manager, Ong Chin Hu.
According to Hilmi, the MoU is a testament to UTP’s continuous effort in realising its aspiration to become a prominent internationally recognised higher learning institution.
“The collaboration with StarFive Technology is a significant milestone for UTP. We are thrilled to work with them and benefit from their expertise in RISC-V open architecture.
“This is in accordance with our EEE Department’s aspiration to lead the country in the use of open architecture for teaching computer systems-related courses,” he said.
He said with the signing, it also marks the starting point of the establishment of a joint embedded research laboratory between UTP and StarFive Technology.
“The laboratory functions as a centre for undergraduate and postgraduate students to work on RISC-V open architecture activities. It will enable UTP to take on more cutting-edge research for industry partners, and accelerate the commercialisation of our own research,” he added.
He also said that the MoU will also pave the way for a joint research programme, focusing on advanced technologies for the semiconductor industry, and this will not only benefit UTP and StarFive Technology, but the nation as a whole.
Meanwhile, Ong said that StarFive Technology, as a global leader in RISC-V, understands the pivotal role that a university such as UTP plays in promoting technological innovation and cultivating talents.
“Today, we are excited to return to academia, the birthplace of RISC-V, to further its development and reach.
“As we sign this MOU, we are not merely inking a document. We are scribing a shared vision for the future, a future where UTP and StarFive Technology’s synergy can amplify our potential, and the sum of our collaboration will be far greater than our individual parts,” Ong added.
The collaboration between UTP and StarFive Technology began in May 2021, with Ong’s appointment as the university’s adjunct lecturer.
He delivered three lectures and was recently appointed as a member of the UTP Industry Advisory Panel for the EEE programme.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency