Southern University College and Sheraton Johor Bahru have officially formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and a Memorandum of Agreement with marking a significant milestone in advancing industry–academia engagement.
The agreements were signed by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr Chuah Joon Huang, President of Southern University College, and Vikas Malik, General Manager of Sheraton Johor Bahru. Representing Southern University College at the ceremony were Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr Teo Pei Kian, Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design, Ong Ei Lin, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design, Asst. Prof. Ng Chee Fong, Head of Department of Visual Art, Lok How Yuan, Specialist of the Faculty of Art & Design and lecturer-in-charge for the project. The signing ceremony was held at Sheraton Johor Bahru which symbolises a shared commitment to fostering experiential learning, creative collaboration, and meaningful industry exposure for students.
The collaboration aims to enhance students’ creative skills, professional competencies, and project management experience. Under faculty supervision and with guidance from Sheraton Johor Bahru’s professional team, students from the Faculty of Art & Design will engage in art and design-related projects, building a platform that integrates theory with practice. Students will also participate in project activities and knowledge-sharing sessions. This initiative provides a valuable opportunity to work in a real-world commercial environment while developing skills in artistic practice, design research, project planning, and execution.
“This collaboration represents more than a creative project, it is a platform for students to translate classroom knowledge into professional practice,” said Dr Chuah. “By working within an established hospitality environment, our students gain authentic industry exposure that strengthens both their artistic development and professional confidence.”
Vikas Malik, General Manager of Sheraton Johor Bahru expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that the initiative aligns with the hotel’s commitment to community engagement and creative enrichment, “We are pleased to provide a platform where emerging talents can contribute meaningfully to our space while gaining valuable industry experience.”
The agreements provide a structured framework for ongoing and future collaborative projects with opportunities for renewal based on mutual agreement. This partnership marks an important step toward strengthening long-term collaboration between academia and industry, while creating impactful experiential learning opportunities that benefit students, institutions, and the broader community.