A
s technology advances at a rapid pace, an education grounded solely in academics is no longer considered sufficient to ensure graduates remain competitive in today’s job market.
Accordingly, the government is actively strengthening graduates’ capabilities in the field of technology to meet industry needs through various initiatives, including the Service Learning Malaysia – University for Society (Sulam) programme.
Introduced by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2019, Sulam integrates academic learning with community service, aiming to produce high-calibre graduates while addressing real societal challenges.
This approach contributes to developing industry-ready graduates, in line with the needs of the current job market.
ABOUT SULAM
Among local public universities that have implemented Sulam is Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), with its Faculty of Mechanical Engineering spearheading the programme.
Associate Prof Dr Noor Azlina Mohd Salleh, a senior lecturer at the faculty, said more than just a conventional educational initiative, Sulam reflects a significant shift in the philosophy of higher education in the country. Through it, universities no longer operate solely within academic boundaries, but as institutions that meaningfully contribute to society and industry.
Assoc. Prof. Ir.Dr.Noor Azlina Mohd Salleh
She said in an increasingly complex global environment, graduates are not evaluated based solely on academic excellence but also on their ability to adapt, think critically and make an impact on communities.
“From an implementation standpoint, universities play a key role as the primary drivers, but behind its (Sulam’s) execution lies a broad and complex network of collaboration.
“This is because the programme involves multiple stakeholders who each play an important role in ensuring its success… starting from students and lecturers to industry players and relevant agencies,” she said.
The Ministry of Higher Education had previously stated that Sulam is a learning approach that integrates academic theory with community service. Through the programme, students not only learn in the classroom but also engage directly in the field to solve real-world problems faced by communities or industries as part of their coursework.
Among Sulam initiatives implemented by universities are the Eco-Heritage Tourism Programme in Pulau Tanjung Surat, Johor (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia); Rainwater Harvesting and Filtration Project in Kampung Tagasan Jaya, Semporna, Sabah (Universiti Malaysia Sabah); and the Borneo Bidayuh Cultural and Ethnic Community Programme (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak).
INDUSTRY EXPOSURE
UiTM, meanwhile, has taken Sulam to a higher level, integrating technological elements, including artificial intelligence (AI), into the programme, thereby broadening students’ exposure to the latest technological applications within real industrial environments.
“What sets UiTM apart from other institutions (in terms of implementation of Sulam) is that we embrace technological challenges. Students directly tackle real issues and observe how industry players confront existing technological challenges,” said Noor Azlina.
Initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), SULAM integrates academic learning with community service.
She added that the implementation of the programme demonstrates a mutually beneficial two-way interaction between students and industry.
Through this approach, students gain first-hand knowledge and experience from industry, while industry partners benefit from fresh ideas and analyses provided by students in addressing current issues and challenges.
“This is the true strength of the Sulam programme at UiTM, where there is a shift from traditional learning approaches to experiential learning.
“It requires students to step out of their comfort zones and confront the realities of the working world. In the process, they not only apply what they know in theory but also learn to adapt to complex and uncertain situations as future industry players,” she said.
The SULAM program at UiTM enables students to directly observe the level of technological readiness among industry players.
UiTM embarked on the Sulam programme in October last year, and it involved final-year (semester seven) mechanical engineering students under Noor Azlina’s supervision.
According to her, the programme is also part of an initiative under the National Industrial Master Plan driven by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), aimed at strengthening productivity, driving technological innovation, and enhancing future workforce readiness in line with Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 agenda.
“Our students are not merely carrying out academic assignments but also serve as young ‘consultants’ who contribute ideas to industry, while MPC plays a role in connecting us with industry players,” she added.
She also said that most Sulam projects are carried out within a single academic semester. However, in certain cases, projects may continue into subsequent semesters or evolve into long-term collaborations between universities and industry.
“This shows that it is not merely a short-term programme but a platform for sustained collaboration,” she pointed out.
FOCUS ON AI
On the choice of AI as a focus area, Noor Azlina explained that within the context of the Sulam programme, selecting this technology allows UiTM’s engineering students to engage directly with technologies that are highly relevant to industry needs.
Through experiential learning, students are not only exposed to theoretical aspects but are also given the opportunity to apply AI knowledge in real-world situations alongside industry players, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The SULAM program at UiTM involves final-year students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
This exposure enables students to observe varying levels of technological readiness among industry players, where some companies already operate with advanced, integrated systems, while others still rely on manual methods.
To bridge this gap, students adopt a gradual knowledge transfer approach, including providing a basic understanding of AI and demonstrating how the technology can benefit company operations.
“From our observations through this programme, we see that some SMEs still rely on traditional methods, and the presence of students with knowledge in these technologies adds value to industry players.
“In such cases, our key principle is to ensure that any technology or system introduced by students aligns with the organisation’s needs and capacity,” she said.
SULAM is part of an initiative under the National Industrial Master Plan, driven by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).
Among the products developed through the UiTM students’ collaboration with industry partners are data-based production monitoring systems and AI-based demand forecasting models, as well as workflow improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
She noted that these initiatives show students are not only focused on technical aspects, but also understand industry as a comprehensive work system.
“Students interact not only with engineers and top management, but also with on-the-ground operators. This exposure provides them with a more comprehensive perspective on real operational challenges.
“Our interventions also do not require significant investment; instead, they emphasise the use of existing resources, making our students’ ideas and proposals more practical and easier for the industry players to adopt,” she added.
FUTURE ENGINEERS
Noor Azlina also said that the implementation of the Sulam programme has also reshaped UiTM’s students’ perspectives on the role of an engineer.
Through field experience, they no longer view the profession as purely technical and begin to appreciate the importance of being part of a skilled workforce capable of adapting to technological advancements while understanding the real needs of industry and society.
SULAM provides students with the advantage of contextual learning by connecting theoretical knowledge to real industrial realities.
“Student participation in this programme is not merely symbolic. They engage directly with company operations. In many cases, students are given access to real processes, from the production stages to management systems.
“In some projects, students are even given the opportunity to test their ideas directly. For instance, some of them have been involved in developing monitoring dashboards using analytical tools to make it easier for the company to operate,” she added.
Noor Azlina also noted that early exposure to modern applications, including AI, in real-world settings prepares future engineers to drive industrial transformation.
“Interestingly, students do not see these technologies as a threat to jobs, but rather as tools to enhance their capabilities. They understand that the future of employment is not about replacing humans with machines but about how humans and technology can work together effectively,” she said.
Future engineers, she said, must view technology not merely as a tool for innovation but as a medium to solve societal problems in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
“In the context of Malaysia’s diverse socioeconomic landscape, future engineers must also be more attuned to community needs, understand real challenges on the ground, and be capable of offering practical, realistic and high-impact solutions,” she added.
