Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. sign an agreement to run a five-year xEV engineering programme, according to a Perodua press release dated April 21.

Perodua said the agreement was exchanged in Johor Bahru on April 21 under the “PERODUA-UTM xEV Engineering Programme.” The company said the programme will focus on research into electric vehicle technology and student training. Perodua said 10 to 15 students from UTM’s Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with Honours will be selected each year. The company said the selected students will join the programme for 1.5 years from the second semester of their third year.

Perodua said the students will complete a 10-week industrial placement at the company. The company said the students may also obtain the Institute of the Motor Industry Level 3 certification. Perodua said company engineers will co-supervise the students’ final-year projects to align the work with industry standards.

UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Abdul Rahim said the programme includes the “PERODUA-UTM xEV Engineering Laboratory,” elective courses in battery electric vehicle engineering, and access to “Hardware in the Loop (HIL)” simulation tools. Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the programme forms part of the company’s long-term xEV workforce plans.

Perodua said it will contribute technical equipment and two Perodua QV-E vehicles for teaching use in the laboratory.