One of the prominent features of this University is its close link with the industry. UNIMAP seeks to build close rapport with the industry not just in terms of student training, but also in terms of staff training and internship. To reciprocate, members of the industry are encouraged to participate in campus life – be it in the form of being a once-a-month Guest Lecturer, or being a co-researcher in projects formalised through the establishment of memorandums of understanding (MoU’s). To-date, UNIMAP has signed about 40 MoU’s with various parties, especially with industries from within and without the country, including small and medium sized industry. The University recognises that the future of the Malaysian economy, especially in high technology industry, is dependant on small and medium sized industries, especially that which are locally based.

The Centre for Industrial Collaboration (CIC) was formed to enable UNIMAP to achieve its goal in providing the industry with graduates who can support in nation building. It was established on the 18th of March 2004 with the approval from the Ministry of Higher Education.  The objectives of CIC are to introduce UNIMAP to industry, to plan, help and excute various activities, to offer industrial exposure to staff and students, to expose the general public and industry on the academic programmes and quality of UNIMAP through close participation with the industry, to support the ‘Practical Intensive’ concept as practiced at UNIMAP and to promote and coordinate cooperation in areas such as consulations, training, technical support and research.   The CIC plays the role of fostering relationship with the industry from various aspects, especially with respect to programmes that have direct bearing to students’ learning. The programmes include Industrial Exposure (IndEx), Industrial Entrepreneurship (IndEnt), Industrial Forum, Industrial Training (InTra), staff training programmes, and many others. The training given to students starts in the 1st year and ends in their 4th year with the involvement of experts from the industry. Some of the programmes are compulsory for students to take.