THE SYNERGY OF UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS: TRANSFORMING LIVES TOGETHER

by

Sharizal Ahmad Sobri

Department of Engineering

Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

In an ever-evolving world, the partnership between universities and industries has taken on a new dimension - one that extends beyond research and economic growth. Collaborations between these two entities have become instrumental in addressing societal challenges and uplifting communities through community service projects. This article delves into the profound importance of involving universities and industries in community service initiatives, emphasizing how this synergy can transform lives and create a lasting positive impact.

When universities and industries collaborate on community service projects, they bring together diverse skill sets, resources, and perspectives. Universities contribute their academic expertise, research capabilities, and manpower, while industries offer practical insights, funding, and real-world problem-solving experience. This synergy enables the development of holistic solutions that address the multifaceted challenges faced by communities, going beyond superficial fixes to create lasting change.

Universities are hubs of knowledge and innovation. When they collaborate with industries in community service projects, they can apply their research findings and technological advancements to solve pressing community issues. For instance, a university's research on sustainable agriculture can be leveraged by an industry partner to implement efficient farming practices in underserved rural communities, enhancing food security and livelihoods.

Community service projects provide a platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms to real-world scenarios. When universities partner with industries, students have the opportunity to work on projects that have tangible outcomes, such as designing low-cost medical devices, creating educational programs, or implementing clean energy solutions. This hands-on experience enriches their learning journey and equips them with practical skills that prepare them for future careers.

The involvement of universities and industries in community service projects empowers local communities in numerous ways. These collaborations provide access to resources and expertise that might otherwise be out of reach. For example, a joint initiative might offer entrepreneurship training to local artisans, enabling them to turn their crafts into sustainable businesses. By building the capacity of community members, these collaborations foster self-reliance and empower individuals to shape their own futures. One of the unique advantages of involving universities and industries in community service projects is the potential for sustainable impact and scalability. Universities can conduct research to ensure that projects are rooted in evidence based practices, while industries can contribute their organizational skills to ensure projects are effectively managed. This combination results in initiatives that are not only impactful in the short term but can also be scaled up and replicated in other communities, maximizing their reach and benefits.

The collaboration between universities and industries in community service projects acts as a catalyst for social innovation. By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds, these partnerships encourage creative thinking and the generation of novel solutions. For instance, a partnership might lead to the development of mobile apps that provide critical health information to remote communities, bridging gaps in healthcare access. For industries, involvement in community service projects demonstrates their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Collaborating with universities lends credibility to their CSR efforts and ensures that projects are aligned with community needs. This not only enhances their reputation but also contributes to the well-being of the society from which they draw resources and workforce.

My prior experience as Director at the Centre of University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), I have a deep understanding of the importance of university-industry collaboration. My experience as an industrial network coordinator at my current faculty, coupled with over ten years of professional experience in a variety of industries and being professionally registered as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) by The Engineering Council UK, has allowed me to raise awareness of the critical need for university-industry collaboration for the benefit of students and academic community.  Most engineering firms or engineers prioritise technical aptitude as the most important prerequisite; this is good, but technical ability should be supplemented by management and leadership abilities for success in the engineering profession. An engineer who lacks the capacity to persuade others, manage priorities, and make sound decisions may not reach his full potential because technical skills alone do not contribute significantly to team management. Sometimes engineers with technical skills but no management or leadership qualities are required to attend leadership, presentation, communication, and business skills training; as a result, top management encourages the training. This experience has taught me that in order to compete in the engineering field, students must improve not only their technical capabilities but also his/her leadership and management abilities. In every career, one must collaborate with others to achieve the organization's goals; hence, teamwork is essential; this means that anyone entering the engineering profession should be prepared to collaborate with other engineers and technical specialists, which necessitates collaboration. Teamwork necessitates trust, and lack of trust impedes teamwork. 

I have been successful in motivating lecturers and partnering with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to bring all UMK students into the workforce. Through my collaboration with MIDA, I have been able to secure employment opportunities for undergraduates by connecting them with prospective companies. One of my projects investigated the critical region in furniture production systems by using the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). As a result of our collaboration with MIDA and the company, the company was able to reduce its maintenance costs by 25%, and we were able to publish two refereed articles. Moreover, one of my accomplishments pertaining to university-industry collaboration was joining the Huawei Technologies Malaysia fellowship programme. I was able to secure a strategic collaboration agreement between UMK and Huawei, which included generous contributions of IoT equipment and increased opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in industrial training. I am confident that my professional experience and network will be an asset to any organization looking to establish strong university-industry collaboration.

I managed to complete my fellowship attachment at Huawei Technologies Malaysia in 2020 under the AiXChange - CEO@Faculty Programme 2.0 (CFP2.0). The CFP2.0 is a special fellowship programme organized by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE) which is a unique platform for motivated public university lecturers with PhDs who are keen to gain industry exposure. The platform is tailored to provide maximum benefits through personal coaching by the CEOs, as well as learning negotiation, networking, and leadership skills. As I have been working on the "Tech4All: Rainforest Guardians" project with Huawei, I have gained a deeper understanding of the technology and its potential to make a positive impact on the world. This project specifically has opened my eyes to the importance of using cutting edge technology to protect the environment and endangered species. It has been inspiring to see how Huawei is using cloud AI technology to help combat this problem. I supported the company's "Tech4All" project in identifying timber species and collected data on the behaviour and movement of endangered animals for better protection. The project also uses a biological acoustics network to detect signals important to the environment of endangered species, which is not only innovative but also in line with the company's values and ethics of human and environmental care. Furthermore, I have come to appreciate the Japanese craftsmanship philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of strength and honour in one's work. I believe that this philosophy has influenced Huawei's approach to the "Tech4All" project, as they are not only focused on the materialistic dimension but also on preserving and protecting the environment. Overall, my experience working on the "Tech4All: Rainforest Guardians" project with Huawei has been a valuable learning experience. It has given me a deeper understanding of the technology and its potential to make a positive impact on the world, and it has also shown me the importance of aligning technology with values and ethics of human and environmental care.

Business acumen is the ability to apply knowledge and insights to solve key business problems. It is a combination of experience and information that is essential for achieving success in any organization. In my experience working with Huawei Technologies Malaysia's Vice President, Mrs. Rita Irina, I was given two challenging tasks that required me to perform research on trade performance between China and Malaysia, as well as to analyse the political situation in Malaysia. These tasks were outside of my area of study as I am more familiar with science and technology. However, I handled these tasks with a positive mindset and used my research skills to overcome the challenges. I realized that being an expert in something requires a lot of practice and hard work, and that I should not be discouraged by the fact that I was not familiar with the topics. Instead, I took the opportunity to learn and grow, and I was able to deliver results that met the expectations of my supervisor.

As a middle-man for gaining international industry knowledge, my role is to bridge the gap between different cultures and industries. I am responsible for gathering information from various sources and applying my knowledge and research skills to provide valuable insights for my organization. This can involve analysing trade performance between different countries, studying political and economic trends, and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in different industries. One of my key strengths is my ability to navigate and understand different cultures and industries. My experiences working with Huawei Technologies Malaysia and my research skills have helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the business landscape in different countries. I have been able to use this knowledge to provide valuable insights and recommendations for my organization.

In addition to my research skills, I am also a skilled communicator, which is crucial in my role as a middle-man. I am able to effectively communicate complex information to different stakeholders and make sure that everyone is on the same page. This enables me to be an effective liaison between different departments and teams, and to ensure that the information is being understood and acted upon. Overall, my role as a middle-man for gaining international industry knowledge is an important one that requires a combination of research skills, cultural understanding and effective communication. My experience working with Huawei Technologies Malaysia has helped me to develop these skills and I am confident that I can continue to provide valuable insights for my organization and help it to navigate the global business landscape.

Working under uncertainty and gathering sensitive information is closely related to maintaining the confidentiality of a company. In my experience researching the political situation in Malaysia for Huawei Technologies Malaysia, I had to handle sensitive information that could potentially impact the company's business operations if it were to be made public. This required me to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality throughout the research process to protect the company's interests. In order to maintain confidentiality, I had to take several steps such as ensuring that the information was only shared with authorized personnel within the company, implementing strict access controls to limit who could view the information, and regularly reviewing and monitoring the information to detect and prevent any unauthorized access or disclosure. Additionally, I had to ensure that any data or information was stored in secure locations and was disposed of properly when no longer needed. Maintaining confidentiality is a crucial part of working in any industry, and it requires a high level of trust and responsibility. In my experience, I had to balance the need to gather sensitive information to make informed business decisions while still protecting the company's interests and reputation.

The context of my experience was working on a project to evaluate the economic performance between China and Malaysia for Huawei Technologies Malaysia. As part of this project, my role was to assist one of the top managers in the department by researching and analysing the trade performance between the two countries. This included studying the import-export scenario, identifying key points for the country's economic growth, and evaluating the monetary value of the trade between China and Malaysia. To complete this task, I had to develop my financial knowledge by researching and analysing economic data and trends. This included studying economic indicators such as GDP, inflation, and trade balances, as well as understanding the political and social factors that can impact economic performance. I also had to understand the company's financial position and how it was impacted by the economic performance between the two countries. Through this experience, I was able to gain a deep understanding of the economic performance between China and Malaysia and how it impacted the company's financial position. I was able to provide valuable insights and recommendations to the top manager and contribute to the department's decision-making process. My work helped the company to better understand the economic situation and develop a strategy to sustain the business market in Malaysia.

Based on my professional experience working with the industries and communities, here are my strategies for promoting the involvement of universities and industries in community service projects:

1. Establish Collaborative Frameworks: Create formal agreements or MOUs between universities and industries outlining their commitment to community service collaborations. These frameworks should detail roles, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties, ensuring a clear understanding of the project's scope and objectives.
2. Identify Common Goals: Conduct discussions to identify shared goals and community issues that align with the expertise of both universities and industries. Prioritize projects that address pressing challenges and can leverage the combined knowledge and resources of both entities.
3. Engage Relevant Departments: Involve departments within universities that have expertise relevant to the community service project. For example, a project focusing on improving access to clean water might involve engineering, environmental science, and public health departments.
4. Industry Mentorship Programs: Create mentorship programs where industry professionals collaborate with university students to develop and implement community service initiatives. This approach provides guidance, practical insights, and real-world perspectives to students, enhancing the quality and impact of the projects.
5. Project-based Learning Courses: Integrate community service projects into curricula through project-based learning courses. These courses allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real community challenges under the guidance of both academic and industry mentors.
6. Joint Workshops and Training: Organize joint workshops and training sessions that bring together academics, students, and industry professionals. These sessions can focus on project planning, communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement strategies.
7. Resource Sharing: Industries can provide resources such as funding, materials, or facilities, while universities can contribute research expertise, project management support, and student manpower. Sharing resources creates a win-win situation that maximizes project impact.
8. Needs Assessment and Participatory Approach: Begin projects with comprehensive needs assessments conducted in collaboration with the local community. Engage community members in the planning and decision-making processes to ensure that projects are culturally sensitive and truly address community needs.
9. Long-term Sustainability Planning: Ensure that projects have a sustainability plan in place. Universities can conduct research to identify strategies for long-term impact, while industries can contribute expertise in project management and scalability.
10. Data Collection and Analysis: Leverage the research capabilities of universities to collect data before, during, and after the project's implementation. Industries can then assist in analysing the data to measure the project's effectiveness and inform future improvements.
11. Showcase Impact: Collaboratively share the success stories and impact of community service projects through joint reports, presentations, and case studies. This not only highlights the positive outcomes but also serves as inspiration for future collaborations.
12. Cross-sector Events: Organize conferences, seminars, or symposiums that bring together academia, industry, and community members to discuss innovative solutions and exchange ideas. These events facilitate networking and potential collaboration opportunities.
13. Continuous Evaluation and Improvement: Regularly assess the progress and outcomes of community service projects and seek feedback from all stakeholders involved. Make necessary adjustments based on feedback to improve project effectiveness and sustainability.
14. Recognition and Awards: Universities and industries can jointly recognize the contributions of individuals and teams involved in community service projects through awards or certificates. This recognition can motivate participants and promote a culture of collaboration.
15. Create Collaborative Platforms: Establish online platforms or portals that serve as hubs for sharing information, best practices, and success stories related to community service collaborations. These platforms can foster continuous learning and inspire new initiatives.

Therefore, the collaborative engagement of universities and industries in community service projects has the power to bring about transformative change. By leveraging their respective strengths, resources, and expertise, these partnerships create solutions that have a profound and lasting impact on communities. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, the importance of this synergy becomes even more evident, underscoring the potential for universities and industries to be catalysts for positive change in the lives of countless individuals. By implementing these strategies, universities and industries can strengthen their collaboration in community service projects, maximizing their collective impact and contributing to the betterment of society.