USM, PENANG, 27 April 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with MyInnoHub (MIH), which is an initiative of the Ministry of Higher Education, to create an ecosystem of innovation by promoting research products of the university at the world stage.

The CEO of MIH, Vincent Wong Wai Sang said that, this is the first step from his office which has the confidence in the research products of USM, which are competitive and capable of penetrating the world market.

“We believe in the products from USM especially in various areas of expertise, more specifically for the bio-mass industry which is compatible with environmental sustainability and which is in high demand around the world, bio-plastic which are bio-degradable, and relates to plastics which can be decomposed and herbal products which could be highlighted to the world, along with a system for the extraction of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO.2), which could assist those involved in the small and medium industries (SMI/IKS),” he said in his speech during the ceremony.

He added that, his office would attempt to introduce the research products into markets in Europe, United States of America, Taiwan and People’s Republic of China and also other selected countries, in addition to doing promotions in the local market, including in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Although some of the products, especially those from this region, are yet to be established in other countries, we are working hard to break that ‘barrier’ so that the research products from this country, more so the university, would be able to get into the foreign markets,” he said further.

 

The USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman hoped that this effort would be fruitful and is fully supportive in featuring more research products from the university.

“We are aware of the existing challenges, as well as the difficulties for the university and the researchers and also the experts in such activities, therefore having this collaboration would be truly eventful in advancing the available products from USM for the global market,” said Omar.

As further explained by Omar, fields relating to biomass, bioplastics, herbal products and extraction system for supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO.2) are areas in which USM has a strong presence, done through explorations of product development.

Others who were present at the ceremony include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey and Director of Innovation Office, Division of Research and Innovation USM, Professor Dr. Rahmat Awang.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa