FOSTERING INNOVATION: CML VISITS UTP FOR ACADEMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INSIGHTS
SERI ISKANDAR, 23 April 2025- In a continuous effort to strengthen academic collaboration and innovation, a delegation from Centre for Modern Languages (CML) which include three language instructors, Arulselvi Uthayakumaran, Nabila Abdul Malek, and Wan Noor Farah Wan Shamsuddin made a fruitful visit to the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAdEx), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). The primary objective of this visit was to benchmark the practices at the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAdEx) and to engage in discussions on the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in UTP classrooms. This benchmarking visit is particularly important as the CML is in the process of developing a new Language Hub, a one-stop centre aimed at helping students enhance their English proficiency.
The visit began with a warm welcome from the CAdEx team which include Dr. Noorzareith Sofeia Noordin, Ts. Dr. Hafizan Mat Som, Noor Emma Suria Hamdan, Norissam Idris and Iskandar Hamid. This is then followed by a roundtable academic discussion focused on advancing teaching and learning initiatives, exploring best practices in digital pedagogy, and enhancing student-centric education models. Both parties exchanged insights on the implementation of emerging technologies in education, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive learning platforms.
A highlight of the visit was an immersive tour to Garage@21, UTP’s dynamic technopreneurship hub. The delegation was introduced to student-led innovations, start-up incubation projects, and industry-academic collaborations that aim to nurture entrepreneurial mindsets among undergraduates. One of the main initiatives under Garage@21 is to provide RM2,000 start-up funding to students who wish to launch their own businesses. This initiative has been highly encouraging and well-received by students, giving them the confidence and resources to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life.
The journey continued to UTP’s cutting-edge Metaverse Room, where guests experienced firsthand how virtual reality (VR) is transforming education. The room showcases immersive simulations and virtual environments designed to enrich learning experiences across disciplines. The UMPSA delegates also tried several of UTP’s own VR applications used in their classroom including experience with oil rigs and osmosis filtration process.
“UTP greatly appreciates the visit from UMPSA and values the opportunity to share and exchange ideas in the spirit of academic excellence and innovation,” said Dr Noorzareith. The visit concluded with a networking session, paving the way for future joint initiatives, research collaborations, and professional development opportunities between both institutions.
Prepared By: Wan Noor Farah Wan Shamsuddin, Arulselvi Uthayakumaran, Nabila Abdul Malek & Umi Kalsom Masrom.