KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) will introduce a compulsory learning module on rocket and missile technology for engineering students by 2027 to develop local defence expertise.
UPNM vice-chancellor Lieutenant General Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad said the initiative aims to train a new generation of local experts to lead the expanding defence sector.
“We want to produce experts among the new generation so that when this industry grows, it is led entirely by local youths, thus safeguarding the sovereignty of the country’s defence assets without having to depend on or be dominated by external parties,” he said during a recent working visit to Canberra, Australia.
Arman Rumaizi said the initiative is backed by strategic partnerships with prominent Australian institutions possessing advanced expertise in the field, including the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Initial discussions have been held with UniSQ, and a delegation from the institution is scheduled to visit UPNM soon to refine how the module will fit into existing engineering programmes.
The strategy to develop local expertise comprises four main phases: skills enhancement through short courses for lecturers and workers, syllabus coordination for undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaboration with industry players, and industrial placements for practical exposure.
Industry partners participating in the initiative include the Weststar Group and Rocket Technologies International (RTI).
Arman Rumaizi added that the Defence Ministry has entrusted UPNM to act as the main coordinator in pooling expertise from other public universities, such as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), in line with the National Defence Industry Policy launched in January.
“This is a new strategic approach. Although it will not happen overnight, UPNM is committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that Malaysia can own and build its own rockets in the future,” he said.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/amp/news/nation/2026/07/1478484/upnm-introduce-rocket-missile-technology-module-engineering-students