Leading Players in SSO industry visit UTAR Perak Campus
The significant collaboration between UTAR, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Perak (FMM Perak), KPerak INC Corporation (KPerak) and Perak State Development Corporation (PSDC) which was formalized on 9 January 2009 has provided the platform for larger network with leading industry players.
On 12 June 2009, Dr. Andy Gu, CEO of SOSINO Ltd., China , and Dr. Darren Ng, CEO of Walter Rhodes Sdn. Bhd., a partner of KPerak, visited UTAR Perak Campus. They were received by UTAR staff - Dr. Lee Sheng Chyan, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology (FSET); Dr. Ooi Keng Boon, Dean of Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF); Dr. Choo Wou Onn, Head of Department of Knowledge Science, FSET; and Mr. Cheong Chew Seong, Head of Department of International Institutional Relations (DIIR).
SOSINO is one of the top IT outsourcing and training organizations in China specialising in providing certified targeted training in the shared services and outsourcing (SSO) industry. Students who had undergone training provided by SOSINO are employed by many multinational companies, including Fortune 500 companies.
Walter Rhodes is a business advisory firm providing management consulting, innovative technology solutions and outsourcing services. Walter Rhodes and KPerak, which is the promoter and state-backed agency for the development of ICT for the state of Perak, have established a working collaboration to set up a Global SSO Centre based in the Perak Techno Trade Centre. This Global SSO Centre will serve as a regional outsourcing hub for technology companies to run outsourcing operations for their respective products and services.
During the visit, the two CEOs were briefed on the history and milestones of UTAR since its inception in 2002. Ideas on the potential for student exchange, student internship placements, overseas employment opportunities, tailor-made training programmes, research and development between UTAR and SOSINO as well as Walter Rhodes were also discussed in the meeting.
Dr. Gu said, "The purpose of my visit to Malaysia is to explore the possibilities of establishing collaboration with local universities to provide our China students with multidimensional learning opportunities and global exposure." He added, "SOSINO is interested to develop and bring in training courses dedicated to the SSO industry in Malaysia ."
"Malaysia has a vibrant ICT and outsourcing industry," Dr. Ng expressed, "In terms of human resources, employers can tap a growing pool of high quality graduates in our country. Attaching students with internships abroad will provide valuable experience and exposure, thus, will develop graduates who are versatile, broad-minded and possess global outlook."
The visit brought great significance as it sparked off future initiatives involving sharing of expertise and joint development that will bring the University to greater heights in the international profile.