By Muhd Nurazuar Mohammad Razmi, Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry & Community Linkages.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has once again reinforced its position as a leading institution in the maritime and marine fields through its active participation in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025, held from 20 to 24 May 2025.

UMT’s presence at this prestigious event reflects the university’s commitment to expanding strategic partnerships and showcasing research and innovation that support the nation’s maritime industry development.

Throughout LIMA 2025, UMT signed two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The first, signed with the Malaysian Sailing Association (MSA), establishes a strategic collaboration in the implementation of sailing training programmes for UMT students. Managed by the UMT Sailing Training Centre, this MoU aims to enhance students’ sailing skills through hands-on exposure, thereby producing more competent graduates who are ready to join the professional sailing industry.

The second MoU was signed between UMT and the Maritime Strategic Association of Malaysia (MASTRA) via the Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry and Community Linkages (PPIJIM). This collaboration focuses on organising maritime-themed programmes including seminars, conferences, and exhibitions, which will greatly benefit UMT lecturers and students in terms of knowledge development and industry networking. This initiative aligns with UMT’s mission to strengthen academic involvement in the national maritime ecosystem.

In addition to reinforcing strategic partnerships, UMT also showcased two selected research products at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) pavilion, demonstrating the university’s research and innovation capabilities. The first product was the Malaysia Marine Forecast System (MFAST), an advanced marine weather forecasting system developed by UMT’s start-up company, Ocean Hydro Sdn. Bhd. MFAST provides three-hourly marine weather forecasts for up to five days, covering key parameters such as wind speed, waves, currents, temperature, and sea level, with a resolution of up to 4 km. Its user-friendly interface makes MFAST a vital tool for maritime operations, research, and daily marine activities. The technology has strong commercial potential in both local and international markets.

The second product was the Marine Vehicle Operation Simulator Within Mobile Environment, a mobile-based boat simulator developed by another UMT start-up, VSG Labs Sdn. Bhd. This simulator offers realistic training in ship handling and berthing scenarios at over 60 ports. With an emphasis on safety and adherence to industry SOPs, this simulator is ideal not only for maritime student training but also for use by training institutions and maritime safety agencies worldwide.

UMT’s participation in LIMA 2025 not only highlights the university’s capabilities in maritime research and innovation but also strengthens strategic ties with key industry players. UMT remains committed to leading in maritime education, training, and research that aligns with national and regional needs.