FAI UTM Strengthens Strategic Partnership with JKR Malaysia in Advancing AI for Smart Sustainable Infrastructure

📍 Menara Kerja Raya, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Kuala Lumpur
🗓️ 30 October 2025 (Thursday)

The Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), conducted a courtesy visit to Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Headquarters to further strengthen strategic collaboration in the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Twin technologies for sustainable national infrastructure development.

The FAI delegation, led by Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Zainai Mohamed, Member of UTM Board of Directors, comprised 11 academic representatives from various departments. The visit was graciously hosted by Dato’ Ar. IDr. Azman Md. Hashim, Deputy Director General (Expert Sector), together with JKR senior officers including Ir. Norain Osman, Sr. Ts. Mohd Naeem Abu Bakar, and Ir. Khamarul Ashraaf Arif.

🤝 Key highlights of the meeting:

Strengthening Academic & R&D Collaboration: Both institutions reaffirmed commitment to the Master of Science in Smart Sustainable Infrastructure (MSSI) program, the first AI-infused postgraduate degree in sustainable infrastructure.

Showcasing JKR Talent Development: Five JKR-sponsored students presented progress reports from the MSSI program, representing a total of 12 JKR staff currently pursuing studies at FAI under various training schemes (HLPSB & HLPCBBP).

Advancing Digital Twin Transformation (DTT): Discussions emphasized next-generation applications of AI and IoT for predictive maintenance, occupational safety, and real-time infrastructure monitoring.

Planning a New Memorandum of Agreement (MoA): Both sides agreed to initiate the renewal of the previous MoU (expired 2022), expanding its scope from BIM to include Digital Twin, AI-driven R&D, and capacity-building programs.

Upcoming Knowledge Sharing: FAI’s PM Dr. Mohamad Syazli Fathi will deliver an Executive Talk (Siri 6/2025) at JKR CREaTE on “Introduction to AI and Digitalization in Occupational Safety and Health” on 3 November 2025.

This engagement underscores FAI’s role as Malaysia’s first national AI study center, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in May 2024, and its mission to deliver future-oriented, industry-focused, and humanity-centered AI education and innovation.

The visit concluded with both parties reaffirming their shared vision to lead Malaysia’s public works sector toward AI-driven sustainability, efficiency, and resilience, advancing the nation’s goals under the Digital Economy and Industry 4.0 Roadmap.

📸 Photos: Group session, academic presentations, and discussion moments between FAI and JKR leadership teams.

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