KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — The National Aerospace Industry Corporation Malaysia (Naico) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) have signed a Letter of Intent to establish the country’s first MyAero Centre Associate Lab.
The lab will serve as a platform for aerospace applied research, workforce upskilling, and industry engagement.
The agreement was formalised yesterday, with Naico’s chief executive officer Shamsul Kamar Abu Samah and UiTM deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation Prof Norazah Abd Rahman signing the deal.
Shamsul said the collaboration marks a pivotal milestone under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and forms part of the national Malaysia Aerospace Centre of Excellence (MyAero Centre) programme.
“By fostering strong academia-industry collaboration, we aim to accelerate the nation’s capabilities in digital manufacturing, advanced materials, and high-value innovation,” he said.
Hosted under UiTM’s Smart Manufacturing Research Institute (SMRI), the lab will focus on additive manufacturing, precision metrology, dimensional measurement, and non-destructive testing.
UiTM will provide infrastructure and technical expertise, while Naico will coordinate under the national MyAero Centre initiative and facilitate the placement of aerospace-grade equipment.
The university’s board of directors’ chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil said the lab will create opportunities for Malaysian talent, particularly Bumiputras, to enter the global aerospace industry.
“This will provide us with a platform through our facilities to train local students to enter this industry. Globally, this is one of the biggest industries, and the foray into Malaysia is a significant step forward for the country and for UiTM,” he said.
Witnesses to the signing included Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI chief executive officer Dato’ Saipolyazan M. Yusop; the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry’s deputy secretary-general (Industry) Datuk Hanafi Sakri, and its senior director for industry development Faizal Mohd Yusof.
The deal was inked at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2025, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre starting yesterday to this Saturday (October 11).
