KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): Eco Grandeur, developed by Paragon Pinnacle Sdn Bhd, has signed a letter of intent with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Selangor to strengthen their ongoing partnership, alongside the launch of the UiTM-Eco Grandeur Urban Community Living Lab (UCLL) at the township’s sales gallery, according to a statement on Tuesday.  

The letter of intent was signed on Aug 15 by UiTM Cawangan Selangor rector Professor Dr Ahmad Taufek Abdul Rahman and Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD) chief development officer Datuk Ho Kwee Hong. The launch of UCLL was officiated through a ribbon-cutting and plaque-signing ceremony by UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs) Professor Dr Hj Sazili Shahibi and Ho.  

The collaboration builds on a decade of township development at Eco Grandeur, which originated from the revival of a previously abandoned project. Since 2018, Eco Grandeur and UiTM have collaborated on various community initiatives, including student engagement programmes, health awareness events, art exhibitions, and local charity distributions during Ramadhan.  

"Township development is not only about delivering properties, but also about building a sustainable community ecosystem. This collaboration with UiTM is a natural extension of that philosophy, and comes after several years of engagement between both parties. Through UCLL, we hope to bring the university's knowledge, programmes and expertise closer to our residents and the wider community, and to serve as a bridge between the university and real community needs," Ho said.

Under the agreement, Eco Grandeur is providing a 970 sq ft fully furnished space with internet connectivity at Grandeur Lab for three years, while absorbing its operational expenses. Led by iCARE UiTM Selangor, the facility will host joint programmes covering community literacy, health and nutrition education, youth entrepreneurship, and volunteerism under a quadruple helix framework involving academia, industry, community, and government.  

“It should serve as a platform connecting the university, industry and community through knowledge transfer, education, innovation, entrepreneurship and community programmes,” he said, encouraging UiTM Selangor’s faculties to actively make use of the space. He added that the collaboration with Eco Grandeur is expected to lead to more impactful programmes and broader strategic cooperation in the future.