BATU PAHAT – Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), through its Metro System Academy (MSA), successfully organized the Annual Railway Summit, Conference and Innovation Competition (ARSCIC) 2025 from November 18 to 20, 2025. The program successfully gathered government representatives, industry players, and researchers in the nation’s rail and transportation sector.
Themed “Shaping the Future of Sustainable Mobility and Connectivity,” ARSCIC 2025 was held as a premier platform to feature scholarly forums, research presentations, and an innovation competition. The program aimed to strengthen strategic collaborations among various stakeholders and explore opportunities for developing a more sustainable and competitive rail ecosystem in Malaysia.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, while the closing ceremony was officiated by the Chief Minister of Selangor, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Complementing ARSCIC 2025, MSA also hosted the Closing Ceremony of the School Track Rail Adventure: Selangor – We Are the Champions program, which involved selected secondary schools from across Selangor. This initiative aimed to cultivate students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), in addition to providing early exposure to rail technology and future career pathways.
In his opening address, the Deputy Minister of Transport stated that the railway industry is not just about transportation; it is a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, innovation, and sustainability.
“Collaboration between higher education institutions, the government, and industry players is the foundation of this success. The organization of ARSCIC 2025 is proof that institutions like UTHM are capable of collaborating directly with policymakers and industry leaders, a remarkable form of collaboration that deserves further expansion,” he said.
The event also included an exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and Letters of Intent (LoI) documents between UTHM and several partners from the rail and transportation industry.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Selangor expressed his appreciation for UTHM’s consistent efforts in producing skilled manpower and strengthening the nation’s capability in the field of green technology-based transportation. He also called upon all parties, including students, researchers, and industry players, to continue fostering the spirit of innovation and collaboration promoted through the organization of ARSCIC.
“The world is rapidly moving towards a green and digital economy, and Malaysia cannot afford to be left behind. We must leverage technology, knowledge, and creativity to create a sustainable mobility ecosystem that drives economic growth and enhances the quality of life for the people,” he stated.
Also present at the event were the Chairman of the University’s Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Rabiah Ahmad FASc; and UTHM Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Naim Maslan.
The program received strong support from major strategic partners such as Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation (MARIC), Keretapi Tanah Melam Berhad (KTMB), YTL Construction, and GAMUDA Engineering, in addition to various other organizations that play crucial roles in the development of the rail sector.
The organization of ARSCIC 2025 once again reinforces UTHM’s role as a proactive TVET institution in empowering research, innovation, and talent development, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of the nation’s rail industry.
