KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through its Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (UTM ICC), successfully organized the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Research Translation Capacity Strengthening Workshop on February 19, 2025, at Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur. Supported by the British Council in the United Kingdom, the workshop aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of researchers, academics, and industry professionals in translating research outputs into impactful innovations. Additionally, it sought to foster stronger engagement with industry stakeholders.
The ISPF program is part of a larger global initiative aimed at enhancing international collaboration in research and innovation. Led by the UK government and managed by the British Council, this fund is designed to foster strong partnerships between universities, research institutions, and industries worldwide. As a result of this initiative, UTM ICC has developed a platform that bridges the gap between research and commercialization, ensuring that scientific discoveries lead to real-world solutions, economic growth, and societal impact.
This workshop brought together 43 selected participants from diverse backgrounds, including universities, research institutions, and government agencies. It was designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. The program featured expert-led lectures, case study discussions, interactive hands-on exercises, and personalized mentoring sessions. The primary objective was to equip participants with practical tools and frameworks to navigate the commercialization journey, ensuring that research findings progress beyond academic settings and are successfully translated into market-ready products, services, and solutions.
A key highlight of the workshop was the participation of renowned industry experts, researchers, and technology transfer specialists who shared valuable insights into strategies for research commercialization, intellectual property (IP) management, market validation, and industry collaboration. Among the distinguished speakers were Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Noor Azurati Ahmad @ Salleh, Director of UTM ICC; Shahril Ahmad, Vice President of the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC); and Dr. Rhian Hayward, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AberInnovation at Aberystwyth University, UK. Their contributions equipped participants with essential knowledge on how universities and industries can collaborate to accelerate innovation and successfully bring research-driven solutions to market.
The workshop’s interactive format allowed participants to engage in real case studies and group discussions, simulating the challenges and opportunities involved in commercializing research. Through role-playing exercises, attendees practiced stakeholder negotiations, licensing agreements, and technology transfer processes, which enhanced their strategic decision-making skills. Additionally, mentorship sessions provided unique one-on-one consultations, enabling participants to refine their commercialization roadmaps, identify potential industry partners, and gain a deeper understanding of intellectual property protection strategies.
The workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 100% of participants expressing satisfaction with the content and delivery. Many highlighted that the sessions successfully equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to advance their commercialization efforts.
The ISPF Research Translation Capacity Strengthening Programme is part of UTM ICC’s broader efforts within the ICCubeX initiative. This program focuses on providing entrepreneurship training, prototype development, and fostering industry collaboration to accelerate research commercialization in Malaysia. Since its launch, ICCubeX has played a vital role in assisting researchers and startups in navigating the commercialization pathway, ensuring that their innovations receive essential support in terms of funding, mentorship, and connections within the industry. Drawing inspiration from global best practices in technology transfer, UTM ICC continually refines and enhances its capacity-building initiatives to strengthen Malaysia’s research translation ecosystem.
UTM ICC is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry by equipping researchers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to successfully commercialise their work. Through the ICCubeX Venture Path, UTM ICC aims to support faculties in navigating the commercialization journey by providing a structured pathway that includes entrepreneurship training, prototype development, market validation, and industry collaboration. This initiative is designed to empower researchers with the skills and resources needed to transform their innovations into viable business ventures. The success of this workshop highlights the importance of such initiatives in advancing Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem, ensuring that scientific research contributes to national economic growth, global competitiveness, and societal progress.
The upcoming workshop will take place in Johor Bahru in August. We encourage academics and researchers from various universities to participate in this program. Don’t miss this opportunity! For more details on upcoming workshops and commercialization support, please visit the official website of UTM ICC (https://icc.utm.my/spf-british-council/) or contact the UTM Innovation and Commercialization Centre.
Authors: Ts. Dr. Norhayati Mohamed Noor, AMIChemE & Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Noor Azurati Ahmad @ Salleh, RTTP