USM-SAMTEC STRENGTHEN TECHNICAL TALENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EDiMA PROGRAMME

PENANG, 15 May 2026 - The Convocation Ceremony for the first cohort of the Executive Diploma in IR 4.0 for Manufacturing and Automation (EDiMA) was recently held on 6 May 2026 in recognition of the achievements of the programme’s pioneering cohort.

The ceremony also marked a significant milestone in the strategic collaboration between Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the School of Aerospace Engineering, and Samtec Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in advancing talent development and workforce transformation within the fields of Industry 4.0, manufacturing, and automation.

The event reflected the strong commitment of both academia and industry towards producing technically skilled professionals who are well-prepared to meet future industrial challenges, as highlighted by the Dean of the School and Director of the Apex Business Unit, Professor Madya Dr. Elmi Abu Bakar, in his address.

During the ceremony, he congratulated all graduates for their perseverance, commitment, and dedication throughout the programme.

According to him, the EDiMA programme not only represents an academic achievement, but also reflects continuous professional growth, resilience, and readiness in adapting to the rapidly evolving demands of Industry 4.0.

He also expressed his appreciation to Samtec Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. for its trust and close collaboration with USM in developing highly skilled talent relevant to current industry needs.

Meanwhile, Penang Plant Manager of Samtec Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Jorge Chaves, emphasised the importance of continuous learning and workforce transformation in supporting the future of high-technology manufacturing industries during his industry address.

He also acknowledged the success of the collaboration between Samtec and USM in helping employees enhance their technical capabilities and professional competencies.

He added that Samtec is confident the EDiMA programme will continue to grow and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing industry-ready talent capable of facing future challenges.

The EDiMA programme was developed to bridge the gap between industry requirements and workforce competencies through a combination of theoretical learning and practical industrial training.

The programme curriculum focuses on electronics, automation, maintenance, industrial systems, PLC applications, instrumentation, and Industry 4.0 technologies, enabling participants to develop competencies aligned with the needs of the modern manufacturing industry.

Overall, the USM-Samtec EDiMA Convocation Ceremony 2026 successfully demonstrated the strength of academia-industry collaboration in producing highly skilled technical professionals, while further strengthening the agenda of lifelong learning, professional development, and industry-driven education.

Text and Photos: Courtesy of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia