FMM Industry–Academia Collaboration and Manufacturing Needs Feedback Form 2026 (GI/13/2026)

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has established the FMM Industry–Academia Committee (IAC) as a strategic platform to strengthen structured collaboration between manufacturers and higher education institutions. The IAC covers key areas such as talent development, applied research and innovation, curriculum development, knowledge exchange, internships, industrial training, postgraduate engagement, entrepreneurship and joint industry-related research. FMM has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with more than 10 universities both public and private, to pursue these initiatives.

The initiative is aligned with FMM’s four strategic pillars, namely Advocacy and Competitiveness; Innovation, Technology, R&D Commercialisation and ESG; Market Expansion and Global Supply Chain Integration; and Talent Development and Workforce Well-being. This Feedback Form is particularly aligned with Pillar 2: Innovation, Technology, R&D Commercialisation and ESG, which focuses on strengthening manufacturers’ ability to innovate, adopt technology, commercialise research outcomes and build more sustainable and resilient operations.

Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I) is critical for the transformation of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, particularly as companies seek to move up the value chain, improve productivity, reduce costs, develop higher-value products and strengthen competitiveness. This is also in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), which emphasises industrial upgrading, technology adoption, innovation, ESG and stronger domestic industrial capabilities.

Against the current backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions, rising input costs and increasing competition, manufacturers need stronger access to university expertise, research capabilities, laboratories, facilities, students and postgraduate researchers. Such collaboration can help address practical challenges in areas such as process improvement, automation, product development, materials substitution, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, testing, certification and supply-chain resilience.

Through this exercise, FMM hopes to identify industry needs that can be matched with university expertise and translated into practical R&D&I projects. The findings will also help FMM assess members’ interest in:

·         Being matched with suitable university experts;

·         Undertaking collaborative applied R&D and innovation projects;

·         Participating in university curriculum and industry advisory panels;

·         Hosting university lecturers for industry attachments or sabbaticals; and

·         Supporting the establishment of teaching factories, laboratories and industry-based learning facilities.

Information provided will be used by FMM to identify industry-needs, expert matching and the development of potential industry–academia initiatives. Companies are not required to disclose commercially sensitive information at this stage. Any detailed engagement may be subject to appropriate confidentiality and intellectual-property arrangements.

Kindly provide us with your feedback/inputs on your research needs and potential collaborations with universities via this link: https://forms.gle/1vAJatnz6AT6kuSZ7.

We look forward to receiving your feedback, which will help FMM identify priority industry needs and develop more targeted, practical and outcome-driven industry–academia collaboration initiatives for the benefit of members.

Click here to Download Circular GI/13/2026 

Enquiries: Puan Hema Thiruchelvam / Puan Kamsiah A Rahim, Business Environment Division at Tel: 03-6286 7200 or e-mail: [email protected].

 Mr Jacob Lee Chor Kok
President

FMM Advocates Transparency, Integrity, Accountability and No Corruption