TELUK BAHANG, 24 September 2023 – The gathering of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) from institutions of higher learning across Malaysia at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange.

These TTOs from universities across Malaysia were brought together by the collaborative effort of USM via the Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) under the networking of the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) to attend the InnoCol.eX (InnoCol eXtended), the Innovation Workshop, and the Supercharger Event hosted by USM.

This collaboration underscores the commitment of these institutions to champion innovation, knowledge exchange and technology transfer.

It empowers TTOs to leverage the extensive research and training facilities available at CEMACS that enables them to forge collaborative partnerships with dedicated and esteemed researchers and academics.

CEMACS, with its rich legacy and dedication to marine science research, offers a unique platform for higher education institutions (IPTs) to explore new frontiers in technology transfer and education.

The visit to CEMACS was truly enlightening for all IPT TTOs, providing a vivid showcase of the vast potential for innovation in marine studies that can be commercialised. The technologies and research at CEMACS bear a significant impact on the B40 community.

During the visit, CEMACS Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai gave an overview about CEMACS.

She emphasised that by identifying and addressing critical issues in marine and coastal ecosystems, CEMACS demonstrates the real-world application of technology in problem-solving and providing solutions that benefit not only the community but the entire nation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director, Centre for Leadership Development (CLD), AKEPT, Associate Professor Dr. Azila Ahmad Sarkawi said that the gathering of all TTOs is a dedicated effort to consolidate and address the diverse array of obstacles and challenges that are faced, whereby this collaborative initiative involves a collective brainstorming session aimed at generating innovative solutions.

“AKEPT is devoted to ensuring that all aspects are gathered and compiled with utmost care, with the ultimate goal of producing policies and guidelines that are significant in advancing our innovation and commercialisation efforts, and subsequently submitting them to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE),” she stated.

Azila further highlighted that CEMACS has adopted a commendable approach in supporting the B40 demographic through oyster farming and sales, as this initiative holds the potential to significantly uplift their economic well-being, enabling them to provide for their children’s education.

According to USM CIC Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan, this fourth InnoCoL.eX gathering strengthens the bonding of all IPTs in Malaysia.

“Many new ideas from other university models can be applied to increase innovation and commercialisation,” said Srimala.

“Everything is impossible until you start to work on it. This particular inner call session basically has brought all the TTOs together to address the gap that we have to move the innovation to the market,” Srimala added.

In summary, the visit to CEMACS served as a catalyst for fostering collaboration and innovation among IPT TTOs in Malaysia.

It highlighted the potential for technology transfer and commercialisation in marine studies, with a focus on addressing real-world problems and benefiting the B40 community.

The collaboration between USM, UUM, and AKEPT sets a model for promoting innovation and knowledge exchange in higher education institutions across the nation.

CEMACS, which is situated in the picturesque Teluk Aling within the Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang), is a centre that serves as an institutional mechanism for mobilising and integrating the university’s considerable expertise and resources in the field of marine research.

The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and accommodation facilities and it also specialises in research areas such as biodiversity conservation, coastal ecosystems, mariculture, and marine mammal ecology.

Notably, their research extends to species like the dugong and dolphins, reflecting their deep commitment to marine conservation.

Text: Dr. Muaz Mohd Zaini Makhtar (USM CIC Deputy Director Technology Assessment, Innovation Promotion & Intellectual Property) & Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi /Photo: Mohd Fairus Bin Md Isa