PSM UMPSA Strengthens University–Industry Collaboration With Kaneka Malaysia
GEBENG, 13 October 2026 – The Centre for Mathematical Sciences (PSM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), conducted an industrial visit to KANEKA (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in Gebeng, Pahang, to strengthen university–industry collaboration and explore potential research and consultancy opportunities in data analytics, mathematical modelling, optimisation and digital transformation.
The UMPSA delegation was led by Associate Professor Dr. Ku Muhammad Na’im Ku Khalif, Deputy Dean (Research & Postgraduate Studies), accompanied by Dr. Norhafizah Md Sarif, Deputy Dean (Academic & International), Ms. Halizan Mohmood, Manager, and eight other academic and research staff from the Centre for Mathematical Sciences (PSM). KANEKA Malaysia was represented by Mr. Wan Rosli Wan Ahmad, Senior General Manager and Site Services Division Head, and Mr. Saiful Adlee Othman, General Manager and Engineering & Maintenance Department Division Head, along with other 12 members of their respective teams.
The visit served as a continuation of the industry engagement initiated during PSM Strategic Industry Nexus (PSM SINNEX) 2026, held on 30 July 2026, which brought together PSM UMPSA and industry partners to explore potential collaborations in addressing real-world industrial challenges. Building on the initial discussions, the visit to KANEKA Malaysia provided an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the company’s operational environment, industrial processes and current practices, while further refining the identified problem statements and exploring practical solutions through mathematical modelling, statistics, data analytics and optimisation.
Discussions focused on three key areas namely KPI and Labour Productivity, Predictive Maintenance and Equipment Analytics, and Workforce, Process Improvement and Optimisation. For KPI and labour productivity, the discussions explored opportunities to strengthen performance monitoring, productivity measurement, data collection and reporting through systematic data analytics. Meanwhile, predictive maintenance discussions focused on leveraging operational and equipment data to assess performance, identify potential issues and support proactive maintenance strategies. Lastly, workforce, process improvement and optimisation explored how data analytics, mathematical modelling and optimisation techniques could enhance workforce effectiveness, streamline operational processes and support evidence-based decision making.
The visit also included a safety briefing, an introduction to KANEKA’s preventive maintenance activities and a tour of the plant area. These activities enabled the UMPSA delegation to gain a better understanding of the company's operational requirements, particularly the potential role of digital departments in integrating operational data, developing analytical dashboards and translating data into actionable insights for management and operational decision making.
The key outcomes of the visit included a clearer understanding of KANEKA’s industrial challenges, the refinement of problem statements through direct engagement with the company, and the identification of potential applied research and consultancy projects. Following these discussions, the PSM teams will further develop and refine proposed solutions to ensure their relevance to KANEKA’s operational needs, with an emphasis on practical implementation and measurable outcomes.
The engagement also identified potential avenues for future collaboration, including industrial research grants, industrial matching grants, consultancy services and knowledge-transfer workshops. By combining PSM’s academic expertise in mathematics, statistics, data analytics and optimisation with KANEKA’s industrial experience, the collaboration could support digital transformation, improve operational efficiency and develop innovative solutions to industry-specific challenges.
Overall, the visit reflects PSM UMPSA’s commitment to strengthening strategic industry partnerships under the theme “Bridging Intelligence, Innovation and Industry.” The initiative is expected to establish a foundation for sustained collaboration between UMPSA and KANEKA Malaysia, connecting academic expertise with industrial needs to deliver impactful and sustainable solutions.
Author: Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Noryanti muhammad