KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 – The Innovation and Development Office at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully hosted an FRGS Coaching Workshop. This event aimed to equip academic staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to apply for the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). Attended by 25 faculty members from across the faculty, the workshop provided valuable insights into the FRGS application process and guidance on crafting compelling research proposals.

Opening Remarks by Prof. Madya Dr. Roslina Ibrahim

The workshop began with an opening speech from Prof. Madya Dr. Roslina Ibrahim, Deputy Dean for Research, Innovation, and Development. Dr. Ibrahim, who successfully secured an FRGS grant for her project titled “Modelling the Acceptance of Games for Science Education Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with Extension of Player Experience,” highlighted the importance of obtaining FRGS funding to advance research at UTM. She emphasized that research grants are essential for enhancing the university’s academic reputation and global visibility.

Expert Insights on Writing Strong FRGS Proposals

Following Dr. Roslina’s opening remarks, the workshop featured Dr. Faizir Ramlir, a two-time recipient of the FRGS grant. He shared his expertise in writing competitive grant proposals. Dr. Faizir, who successfully secured funding for his project, “Pheromone-Based Bees Algorithm for Pattern Recognition in the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System,” provided practical tips for designing strong research proposals. He emphasized the importance of aligning research objectives with the specific evaluation criteria set by the FRGS and developing a clear, coherent methodology.

Additionally, Dr. Faizir discussed common pitfalls to avoid when writing proposals, such as vague research questions and inadequate budget justifications. He stressed that setting clear and realistic goals is essential for improving the likelihood of success.

The workshop continued with Dr. Mohd Azri Mohd Izhar, who shared his insights on crafting high-quality FRGS proposals. Dr. Azri’s FRGS-funded project titled “Distributed Joint Source-Channel Coding for Quantum Key Distribution over Noisy Quantum and Classical Channels” emphasized the importance of demonstrating a research project’s impact. He provided practical guidance on writing clear research objectives, developing realistic research budgets, and effectively addressing submission guidelines.

The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to discuss their specific challenges and concerns regarding previous grant applications. The facilitators offered personalized advice, addressing questions on various aspects of the FRGS application, including proposal writing, budget management, and submission timelines.