UniMAP In Process Of Establishing Faculty Of Science And Computing, With Focus On AI

ARAU, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is in the process of establishing a Science and Computing Faculty, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) as well as computing and science technology.

Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Zaliman Sauli said the AI Data Science Studies Programme is also in the process of being approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and is expected to receive its first batch of students for the October 2025/2026 intake next year.

"Moreover, in the latest learning curriculum at UniMAP, AI elements have been comprehensively integrated. It is also translated into final-year projects, including those carried out through strategic collaborations with the industry," he said.

He said this while speaking at the AI Summer Camp University Tour - Northern Zone 2024 closing ceremony, officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, at the UniMAP Puah Putra Campus here today.

Also present at the event was the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Zaliman said this effort is in line with the Higher Education Minister's desire to empower AI, and the establishment of the faculty will indirectly support the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) field at UniMAP.

"...where we get to see the E&E industry increasingly applying AI technologies such as automation and machine learning in their manufacturing processes," he said.

Meanwhile, he hopes the organisation of the AI summer camp will nurture new talents in the AI field as well as in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics (STEM) which will foster critical and creative thinking in a world increasingly driven by technology.

"As we know, this programme is to introduce the basic concepts of AI to students as well as to encourage interest in the STEM field... AI is not just the technology of today, but it is the future.

"Through initiatives like this, UniMAP is committed to becoming a leader in producing a competitive industrial workforce, as evidenced by data from the Kulim Hi-Tech Park Corporation (KHTP) where UniMAP is the largest talent contributor with 3,208 graduates ready to work in Kulim Hi-Tech Park," he added.

--BERNAMA