Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association(MyBHA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU was signed by UTM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Rosli Md Illias, and Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, National President of MyBHA, at the Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building (BCSI) at UTM.
Witnessing the signing were Assoc. Prof. Dr Ahmad bin Jusoh, Dean of the UTM Faculty of Management, Jarod Chia Lik Ming, MYBHA’s National Deputy President, and Zamari Muhyi, MyBHA’s National Secretary General.
Sharil Nizam Bin Abdul Rahim, Director of Tourism Johor, Magdalene Tuborng Melai, Director of MOTAC Johor, and Chresentia F.B Sadatal, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia Southern Region, are also in attendance.
Dr Ganesh Michiel said that in addition to allowing Bachelor of Management (Marketing) students to intern in hotels of the association’s 2,700 member operators across the country, this cooperation also provides new directions for joint research between the two parties, especially in collecting and analysing new trends in hotel consumption.
This MoU aligns with key national tourism initiatives such as “Visit Malaysia 2026” and “Visit Johor 2026,” focusing on enhancing Malaysia’s appeal as a prime destination.
UTM and MyBHA hope that this collaboration will help to support these campaigns by developing a skilled workforce capable of providing exceptional hospitality experiences, thereby strengthening Malaysia’s reputation as a top tourist destination.
Led by Associate Prof Dr Thoo Ai Chin of the Faculty of Management, the initiative includes a wide range of collaborations such as research, teaching, internships, consultations, information sharing, and community outreach.
This collaboration addresses critical issues in the hospitality industry, including talent retention and overcoming manpower shortages.
Adding to the comprehensive scope of this partnership, a dedicated Satellite Lab focused on hospitality research will be established at one of MyBHA’s hotels, Hotel Lavender Inn.
The Satellite Lab will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development, with a focus on innovative solutions to current hospitality industry challenges.
It will provide a dynamic platform for UTM researchers and students to work directly with industry professionals to conduct applied research that is both academically rigorous and industrially relevant.
