PETALING JAYA: A collaboration has been agreed between Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s (Utar) Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering (CRIE)’s research team and Rehau Pte Ltd has a huge potential to produce more local talent and spare parts for the railway system, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president and former Transport Minister said that the research team would also be involved in the development of electric vehicles (EV) infrastructure.
“I am pleased to welcome Rehau German railway system (Asia) director Andrew Chong, who is also the CRIE’s industrial research advisor, CRIE chairman Dr Chua Kein Huat as well as UTAR’s professors Dr Ong Chuan Fang and Dr Hau Lee Cheun.
“Having strong faith in the capabilities of local talents, Chong wanted to share his experience with local talents so they can contribute to the development of the railway industry in Asia Pacific and the world,” said Dr Wee in a posting on Facebook on Wednesday (Jan 4).
Dr Wee said that the team had shared with him how the collaboration would encourage the transfer of technology and in the end would allow the local products to be promoted at the international level including in South East Asia and globally.
“Both Chong and Dr Chua had drawn up a three year plan to make CRIE as the technological gateway for German technology to enter the asian market.
“They will first focus on the South East Asia and German markets for the first two initial years,” Dr Wee further noted.
“I believe that such cooperation will train more young local talents with the right skills and expertise that is relevant to the railway industry.
“Surely this will help reduce our reliance on foreign talents,” he said.
“Most importantly, such a development will also generate high paying jobs that will benefit local talents, not only for the manufacturing sector but also other relevant areas such as design,” explained Dr Wee.