Sarawak Skills embarks on Kung Fu Workshop initiative

KUCHING: Sarawak Skills and i-CATS University College (i-CATS UC) sealed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Foshan Polytechnic of China on  Friday to jointly develop and offer customised programmes in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.

The first MoU was signed between the Sarawak Skills Development Centre and Foshan Polytechnic at the Sarawak Skills group headquarters here. 

The second MoU was signed between i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic at i-CATS UC’s campus.

Hallman Sabri, Executive Director of Sarawak Skills said it is honoured to be Foshan Polytechnic’s first overseas partner to embark on the “Kung Fu Workshop” initiative. 

“The term “Kung Fu Workshop” is an international vocational and education brand initiated by Foshan Polytechnic. Foshan is known as China’s “Hometown of Martial Arts” and “Capital City of Manufacturing in China”. 

“The brand “Kung Fu Workshop” integrates Chinese Kung Fu and vocational education ideas, craftsman experience, industrial technology and standards – truly, a novel way to promote international cooperation in the fields of vocational education and training, scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurial development,” he said.

The MoUs are in line with the Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions’ role as a stakeholder in the transformation of Sarawak’s digital, economic, and educational landscape, and ongoing initiatives to support the Sarawak Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) as well as the Sarawak government’s ongoing initiatives in carbon reduction emission, he added. 

“In a nutshell, the MoUs pave the way for Sarawak Skills, i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic to synergise substantial expertise and resources to develop and eventually offer a wide range of customised programmes in hydrogen fuel cell technology. 

“This will go a long way towards supporting Sarawak’s clean energy ambitions, specifically to become a regional green hydrogen production hub by 2027,” he said.

Hallman also said that ten teaching personnel from Sarawak Skills and i-CATS UC recently completed Hydrogen Technology Training at Foshan Polytechnic and Foshan Feichi Motor Technology Co. Ltd. 
“Following the aforementioned training, Sarawak Skills, i-CATS UC and Foshan Polytechnic have jointly developed the “Fuel Cell Vehicle Safety Officer” and “Fuel Cell Field Engineer” programmes for both Sarawak Skills band i-CATS UC respectively.”

Professor Datouk Dr. Shazali Abu Mansor, Acting Vice Chancellor of i-CATS UC said the MoU opens the door of cooperation between Foshan Polytechnic and i-CATS UC to initiate various joint activities and programmes, including student and staff exchange programmes, academic and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest, exchange of ideas, information, as well as teaching and learning materials, and organizing joint seminars and/or conferences.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Zhao Yinsheng, Vice President of Foshan Polytechnic expressed his appreciation to Sarawak Skills and i-CATS UC on the joint launch of the Kung Fu Workshop. 

He said the MoUs between the three institutions marked an important beginning for the parties to jointly develop various strategic and talent development initiatives, including the internationalisation of their respective institutions.