JOHOR BAHRU, 16th Aug. – The Technovation Park of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is an integrated platform created to stimulate the local economy through innovations and commercialisation of entrepreneurial activities that can benefit the local industry players.
Its strategic location in the elite area of Iskandar Malaysia is the breeding ground for cutting-edge research, supported by the key initiatives of the state government and materialised through the establishment of the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) for Sustainable Development.
The 16th of August 2020 was indeed a momentous day for UTM when the Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Datuk Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir and a few of well-known industry players, including CEOs from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Cradle Fund Pt. Ltd. (Cradle), Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) and DreamEdge Pt. Ltd., visited the Technovation Park. The main aim of the visit is to witness first-hand the UTM Technovation Park achievements and contributions to the local innovation ecosystem.
Vice-Chancellor of UTM, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid bin Omar, in his welcoming address, has highlighted that the UTM Technovation Park is spearheading various fields of research to benefit the society. Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) of UTM, Prof. Datuk Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi bin Ismail, has presented the data of Technovation Park achievements so far.
He pointed out that although universities have been playing a role in driving research and innovation, this role must remain important even after our country has moved into the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 with new demands and more innovative ways of forging ahead.
Universities must not only be seen as ivory towers that churn out graduates, but must comprehensively synergize their activities with other Quadruple Helix champions and stakeholders, comprising the Government, University, Community and Industry (GUCI). In this way, universities can significantly impact development and growth by focusing on their respective niche areas of expertise.
Managed by the UTM Innovation & Commercialisation Centre (ICC), UTM Technovation Park is currently occupied by at least 40 local innovation companies that are working together to produce world-class research output.
Among others, the research and consultancy work at UTM Technovation Park has led to the production of several high-impact research products which have been effectively translated to the society. In addition, the management is continuously striving to develop more talented, adaptable and agile talents to meet industry specific needs.
In the same session, Director of ICC, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Noor Azurati, then presented several business niche areas that have been pioneered by UTM’s spin-off companies, including Gates IT Solution Pt. Ltd., Biopro Cosmeceutical Pt. Ltd., Microclear Pt. Ltd., and many more.
The support from MOSTI has been instrumental in sustaining these niche areas and UTM will look forward to its continued support which will go a long way in enhancing both research performance and the associated output.
Finally, the delegates were brought to two premises located in the Technovation Park area such as Biopro Cosmeceutical Pt. Ltd., a UTM spin-off company that commercialises mangosteen-based cosmeceutical range of products, and Procid Pt. Ltd., a licensee of UTM technology that commercialises bird’s nest-based products.
It is hoped that the Technovation Park will continue to be a sterling global business hub in this country through the production of more competent technopreneurs, who can pool brain, brawn and resources towards rapid and sustainable economic development and growth.
