Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios and Universiti Teknologi Mara ("UiTM") have entered into a strategic agreement to collaborate in developing talent to meet the needs of the new studios in Iskandar, Malaysia.
Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios is currently developing, a RM550-million integrated media production studio facility located in Iskandar, Malaysia with over 100,000 sq ft of television and film sound stages, workshops, office spaces and production suites. Upon its full completion by the third quarter of 2013, it will be the largest independent integrated studio facility in South-East Asia.
Under the Agreement, Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios and UiTM will jointly develop formal training courses and educational programmes for qualified local and international students, as well as customized programmes at the proposed educational institution in Iskandar Malaysia.
This landmark agreement aims to address the talent needs for the creative cluster by enhancing the development of employment ready talent for companies in Iskandar Malaysia. Most importantly, it will also match industry experts with the academic experience of UiTM, thus enhancing the employability of the trained talent from UiTM.
This is the first talent development collaboration programme entered into by Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios.
Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios CEO, Michael Lake commented:
“Talent is a prerequisite for the development of Malaysia’s creative industry and to the success of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios, especially in world-class television and film productions. The Studios will help to build depth and experience and in the local industry and to showcase Malaysia as a destination for the international film and television community.”
UiTM Vice Chancellor, YBhg Dato' Prof Ir Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar said:
“As Malaysia’s largest institution of higher learning, UiTM is committed to improving the skills of our students by obtaining input and participation from industry experts in our education programmes. This collaboration will enable UiTM to improve the employment prospects of our graduates as the programmes will closely match that of the real world requirements of the local and foreign creative and media industry.”