Mitrans at UiTM: Building Safer, Smarter Transport Systems
Asian Trucker spoke with Profesor Madya Dr. Wan Mazlina Binti Wan Mohamed, Director of the Malaysian Institute of Transport (Mitrans) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Khushairy Bin Makhtar, Head of Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), to understand how the institute approaches transport safety, sustainability, and professional capability across both passenger and commercial operations.
From Engineering to Real-World Transport
With a background in aircraft maintenance and aerospace engineering, Dr. Wan Mazlina views transport as a system where planning decisions directly affect safety and access.
“Transport systems are living networks,” she explained. “Whether it involves buses, service vehicles, or trucks, every route and vehicle choice has consequences for safety and efficiency.”
Dr. Ahmad Khushairy, trained in mechanical engineering with research experience in Japan, adds an operational perspective rooted in day-to-day realities.
“Mobility is not only about movement,” he said. “It is about designing services that work safely and reliably under real operating conditions.”
Managing a Campus Like a Small City
UiTM Shah Alam supports daily movement for more than 33,000 students, staff, and service providers. While shuttle buses and public transport links form the backbone of campus mobility, goods delivery and service vehicles are equally critical.
Mitrans coordinates internal transport planning with external operators while managing access, routing, and timing for commercial and service vehicles.
“Passenger movement and freight activity cannot be treated separately,” Dr. Wan Mazlina noted. “Both must be planned together to reduce risk and congestion.”
Safety by Design
Safety at Mitrans is embedded into planning rather than addressed after incidents occur. Routing controls, access management, and driver requirements are continuously reviewed, reflecting practices used in wider commercial transport operations.
“Our aim is simple,” said Dr. Ahmad Khushairy. “Everyone should be able to complete their journey safely, regardless of vehicle type.”
This structured approach mirrors principles applied to truck operations, where vehicle suitability, driver training, and route planning directly influence outcomes.
Sustainability with Accountability
Sustainability efforts at UiTM focus on measurable performance, including vehicle selection, energy use, and traffic management. These practices contributed to UiTM Shah Alam’s improved standing in global sustainability rankings, where transport planning formed part of the evaluation.
“Sustainability must be supported by data and planning,” Dr. Wan Mazlina said. “Fleet decisions, whether for buses or service vehicles, must make operational sense.”
Developing Transport Professionals
Beyond campus operations, Mitrans delivers CPD programmes for industry practitioners covering transport planning, logistics, safety management, and regulatory awareness. These courses are relevant to both passenger transport and freight operations.
“Our CPD programmes are designed for professionals working with real constraints,” Dr. Ahmad Khushairy explained. “This includes fleet managers, logistics operators, and safety personnel.”
Certified Halal Supply Chain and Halal Logistics courses further address compliance and operational integrity across transport and logistics activities.
“Halal principles extend to handling, equipment, and operational discipline,” Dr. Wan Mazlina added.
Linking Mobility with Responsibility
Mitrans combines academic insight with operational discipline, placing safety, sustainability, and professional development at the centre of transport planning.
“Our role is to prepare people who make better decisions,” Dr. Ahmad Khushairy said. “That applies on campus and across the transport industry.”
For Mitrans, transport education is not confined to classrooms. It informs how buses run, how trucks are managed, and how future professionals approach mobility with responsibility and purpose.