KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kedah and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in research, academia, industrial training and cultural activities.
In a statement today, UiTM Kedah said the strategic partnership would pave the way for joint research, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and academic and cultural programmes benefiting students and the wider community.
The MoU was signed at Wisma DBP by UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs) Prof Dr Mohd Sazili Shahibi, representing the university's vice-chancellor, with UiTM Kedah rector Associate Prof Dr Mahazir Ismail as witness.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with DBP Digital Day 2026, themed “Public Sector Administrative Reform and Innovation Towards Empowering a Distinguished DBP”.
The statement said the collaboration followed the appointment of DBP director-general Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari as an adjunct professor at UiTM, further strengthening expertise sharing between the two institutions.
Meanwhile, Mahazir expressed hope that the MoU would pave the way for more collaborative initiatives with tangible benefits.
He said the partnership should translate into high-impact programmes involving academics, students and industry experts, particularly in research, creative works and knowledge development.
“The sharing of expertise between UiTM and DBP is expected to create new opportunities in knowledge development, creative works and research, while broadening students’ exposure to language, literature and culture,” he said.
The statement added that the collaboration would provide students with a more comprehensive learning experience through research projects, academic and cultural programmes, and relevant industrial training opportunities.
In his speech at the ceremony, Hazami said DBP was continuing its digital transformation to improve the efficiency of management and service delivery in language, literature, publishing and knowledge.
He said digitalisation was no longer optional but essential to ensure public sector organisations remained relevant, efficient, transparent and responsive to public needs.
“Digitalisation not only enhances organisational efficiency but also creates greater opportunities to redesign how language, literature, publishing and knowledge services are delivered to the public,” he said.
Hazami said DBP had developed 28 digital products and 16 digital services to support its core functions in language, literature, publishing and management.
From 2026 to 2028, another 11 systems are scheduled for development, including the DBP Integrated Library Management System, e-Pedia, the National Book Industry Development Portal and a Learning Management System.
Meanwhile, Education Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management) Datuk Indera Ikmalrudin Ishak said public sector reform required strategic organisational alignment and comprehensive innovation to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
“Strengthening the Malay language digital ecosystem also requires cooperation among government agencies, higher education institutions, industry players, academics and the public. Each agency contributes data and expertise, while DBP ensures linguistic quality and language standards,” he said.
He said this coordinated effort was crucial to ensuring Malay continued to develop as a language of knowledge, science and modern technology, including in the development of the country's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
-- BERNAMA