NANJING, Aug 22 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) further strengthened its commitment to transforming university research into practical solutions that benefit industries, communities and the environment when Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), delivered the keynote address at the 2nd China Southeast Asia Kerry Youth Scientist Forum, hosted by Nanjing University Business School in Nanjing, China.

The keynote, titled ‘From Research Excellence to Global Impact: Advancing Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Industrial Development’, underscored the importance of transforming research excellence into innovation, technological advancement and market-ready solutions that deliver meaningful impact to industries and communities worldwide. He emphasised that impactful research should not end with knowledge generation, but must be translated into practical applications that drive sustainable economic growth and enhance societal well-being.

“Research reaches its true potential when it moves beyond the laboratory, supports industry and improves people’s lives,” he said.

Drawing on UTM’s research ecosystem, Prof. Ali highlighted the university’s strong research capacity and global achievements, supported by extensive international partnerships and growing global recognition. In 2024, 48 UTM researchers were listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists based on single-year citation impact, while 23 were recognised for career-long achievements. These achievements reflect UTM’s commitment to building a world-class research environment that drives innovation and knowledge creation.

The keynote theme was ‘Bridging the Gap from Research to Market‘, highlighting the importance of translating laboratory discoveries into commercially viable technologies through spin-off companies and strategic industry partnerships. Prof. Ali emphasised the need to transform deep-tech innovations into business-to-business (B2B) solutions that can address the needs of both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Chinese markets, particularly in advancing industrial decarbonisation and sustainable trade. This approach aims to ensure that research outcomes move beyond academia to generate tangible economic, industrial and societal impact.

The presentation also showcased several flagship innovations developed within UTM, including advanced materials and biotechnological solutions such as bio-energy technologies, graphene derived from palm biomass, silver-based nanocomposites, green geopolymer construction materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered smart energy management systems, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration. These innovations demonstrate how multidisciplinary research can address pressing challenges in renewable energy, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and industrial digitalisation.

“When knowledge is translated into action, innovation can drive industrial progress, protect the planet and deliver prosperity that is shared by all,” he said.

The forum, held from 21 to 23 August 2026, serves as a strategic platform for scientific exchange and research collaboration between China and Southeast Asia. Organised by Nanjing University Business School, it brings together distinguished scientists, researchers and young scholars to discuss industrial innovation, green development, the digital economy, semiconductor technologies, green finance and sustainable regional prosperity.

UTM’s participation reflects its commitment to expanding global research partnerships while contributing Malaysian expertise to regional and international innovation ecosystems. Concluding his address, Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali called on young scientists, investors, policymakers and industry leaders across China and Southeast Asia to work together to scale up successful green solutions and drive sustainable development across the region.