WAWASAN Open University (WOU) has forged new collaborations with one education partner and two Penang-based industry players, further strengthening its mission to equip talent across all levels of the workforce — from shop-floor operators to senior executives.
At an official ceremony held at WOU’s main campus in Penang, the university, represented by its chief executive and vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Lily Chan, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Fourier TVET Centre, MI Equipment Sdn Bhd, and 3REN Berhad. The MoUs were also signed by Pau Kew Chong, principal of Fourier TVET Centre; Ong Tee Ni, vice-president of MI Equipment; and Koh Dim Kuan, chief executive officer of 3REN Berhad.
Prominent figures present included PenangInvest chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and WOU chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, alongside representatives from the government, industry, and the education sector, as well as staff members.
In her welcome address, Prof Chan said the collaborations underscore WOU’s role in strengthening Penang’s academia-industry-government ecosystem by cultivating sustainable talent pipelines. This, she added, is vital to securing the state’s long-term growth in critical technology sectors while enhancing its global competitiveness.
“Recognising Penang as the Silicon Valley of the East, we see it as essential for institutions like WOU to play a central role in shaping the region’s talent landscape. Building on our established collaborations in the E&E sector, and with Fourier as a leading training centre for engineers, we are now extending our reach into the fast-growing medical technology space.
“Together, these partnerships will ensure industries gain advanced skills required to innovate, scale, and compete globally, while reinforcing Malaysia’s broader digital economy agenda in line with the National Semiconductor Strategy and AI National 2030 aspiration,” Prof Chan said.
She added that WOU’s open distance learning (ODL) model provides flexibility for working adults, while collaborations with industry partners ensure knowledge gained can be applied immediately in real-world settings.
“To meet the demand for future-ready talent, WOU also offers microcredentials (MCs) that are accredited, industry-aligned, and HRD Corp claimable. These can be taken as stand-alone certifications or stacked as credit-bearing components toward full academic qualifications. Through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) pathway, learners can also accumulate credits and accelerate their progress toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
“We believe this flexible, stackable model is the future of higher education — enabling working adults and career changers to gain in-demand skills, balance learning with work, and build the competitive edge needed to stay ahead in industry,” Prof Chan explained.
She also expressed her gratitude to InvestPenang for playing a pivotal role in enabling partnerships such as the one with Fourier.
In her speech, Loo commended WOU for its continuous efforts to forge collaborations with industry leaders in Penang.
Citing a 2024 TalentCorp study across 10 key sectors, including E&E and medical devices, she said an estimated 620,000 jobs in Malaysia are at risk of disruption if workers do not reskill or pivot towards adjacent roles.
“The future of work is changing rapidly, and with the rise of AI, digitalisation, and automation, upskilling is essential, not optional,” Loo stressed.
Explaining why WOU’s partnerships with 3REN Berhad, Fourier TVET Centre, and MI Equipment are significant, Loo said they demonstrate a shared commitment to future-proofing the workforce by embedding lifelong learning, adaptability, and resilience into Penang’s human capital development.
She also revealed that in the first half of 2025, the state recorded RM12.5 billion in approved manufacturing investments, with over 11,000 new jobs created.
“These new investments are creating demand for high-value jobs in areas such as automation, semiconductors, and medical technology. However, these opportunities can only be realised if our workforce is equipped with the right skills to fill them,” she said.
Loo reaffirmed InvestPenang’s commitment to supporting industry–academia partnerships that prepare talent not just for today’s jobs, but also for the opportunities of tomorrow.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En