- Opens US$15 mil innovation lab to support applied research and training
- Introduces industry-based engineering degree through work-based learning model
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow has officiated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between ViTrox College and UCSI University, alongside the opening of the ViTrox Innovation Lab.
In a statement, ViTrox said the partnership introduces a Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Hons) programme delivered within its industrial campus in Batu Kawan, creating a “Living Classroom” that combines academic learning with industry-based training, where students complete 100% of their degree in a real industry environment.
The programme is expected to welcome its first intake in September 2026. ViTrox College has secured provisional approval from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), with final ministry approval in progress. The initiative is part of ViTrox’s longer-term plan to host 5,000 students and graduate 2,000 engineers annually, supporting the development of Batu Kawan as a regional hub for innovation and specialised education.
The curriculum is delivered through a work-based learning framework, with students trained in an industrial environment. Each student is supported by an academic mentor, an industry mentor, and a life mentor, covering technical, practical, and professional development.
According to ViTrox, this 100% industrial immersion is anchored by the signature three-mentor model, where every student is guided by an academic mentor for theoretical excellence, an industry mentor for technical mastery, and a life mentor for character building and professional development. This support system is designed to ensure graduates are workforce-ready and equipped to contribute to Malaysia’s high-tech sector.
The ViTrox Innovation Lab is a facility designed to bridge academic learning and industrial application. Claimed to be the first in Southeast Asia, it represents an investment of approximately US$15 million (RM60 million) and houses around 60 machines.
The lab supports undergraduate internships as well as postgraduate research, including MSc and PhD programmes. It also serves as a shared platform for students and working professionals, enabling applied research in a professional setting.
Under the mentorship of ViTrox’s engineers and academic staff, students have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts to develop next-generation solutions. The facility focuses on areas including precision automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced inspection systems such as optical and X-ray technologies. It enables students and researchers to test and validate solutions within a live manufacturing environment.
Chu Jenn Weng, president and group CEO of ViTrox, said the programme is designed to equip students with the skills to apply AI in industrial contexts, particularly in automation and robotics.
“We created this programme to strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities in engineering and technology development,” he said. “By integrating academic learning with industry experience, students can develop the skills needed to contribute to advanced manufacturing and innovation.”
Professor Emeritus Dr Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir, president and vice chancellor of UCSI University, said the collaboration will support the development of engineering talent for Malaysia’s semiconductor industry.
“Mechatronics plays an important role in the IR4.0 landscape, and this partnership enables us to contribute to the growth of a critical national sector,” she said.
Dr Janaka Low, principal of ViTrox College, said the partnership brings together academic and industry expertise to provide students with applied learning opportunities. “We are creating an ecosystem where students don’t just study the future—they build it,” he added.
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