Kuala Lumpur, 9 July 2024 – The “Intangible Technology Transfer (ITT) Outreach to Academia” event took place at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, organized by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), Multimedia University (MMU), Malaysia Strategic Trade Control Community (MYSTCC), and the Export Control and Border Security Program (EXBS), Bureau of International Security and Non-proliferation (ISN) U.S. Department of State (DOS).
This significant event brought together attendees from private and public universities, industry representatives, and distinguished speakers to address critical issues related to strategic trade controls (STC) and the role of academia in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Representatives from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Assoc. Prof Dr. Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof and Dr. Intan Sazrina Saimy from the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), UTM Kuala Lumpur, played significant roles in the discussions. Both participated as panellists in facilitated discussions on “International Scientific Research Collaboration with Export Control Requirements” and “Universities’ Role in Non-proliferation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Ashikin Mohamed Yusof also delivered an insightful talk on “Research Activities and Export Controls,” which highlighted research areas with higher proliferation risks. Her presentation underscored the importance of vigilant research practices and adherence to STC to safeguard against unintended technology transfers.
Objectives of the event includes identifying the role of research organizations that emphasized the importance of research organizations in preventing the diversion of scientific research and technology development for WMD proliferation. It also explains the application of Strategic Trade Controls discussions on how Strategic Trade Secretariat (STS) mitigate the risk of technology transfers contributing to WMD proliferation. The other objective was to determine the potential impacts by the control and implementation of Strategic Trade Act 2010 of Malaysia. Then it also outlined the responsibilities of research organizations, administrators, researchers, and instructors under existing STA 2010 requirements and best practices.
The “Intangible Transfer Technology Outreach to Academia” event was a vital platform for fostering understanding and collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. By addressing the challenges and responsibilities associated with STS, the event aimed to strengthen Malaysia’s efforts in non-proliferation and ensure the safe and responsible conduct of scientific research and technology development.