Kuala lumpur: Three public universities under the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) have made history by signing 16 strategic agreements with various defence industry partners from the domestic and international sectors. The signing ceremony took place in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 Exhibition at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the exchange of documents was witnessed by Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman at the Astaka KPT, involving Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). Azlinda mentioned that the Astaka KPT programme serves as a crucial opportunity to directly connect academic research outputs with defence industry players.

The agreements include seven Memoranda of Agreement (MoA), four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), three Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), and two Letters of Intent (LoI). UPNM recorded the highest number with 14 agreements, while UMPSA and UniMAP each recorded one agreement. Azlinda highlighted that more than 75 per cent of the agreements are centered on defence technology and technical knowledge transfer, covering missile systems and artillery ballistics, drone technology and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), cybersecurity, as well as rocket and satellite technology.

The Astaka KPT, operational until April 23, brings together nine public universities under one roof to showcase 12 local research innovation products covering defence technology, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems.