USM PENANG, 26 September 2023 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently held the MRANTI Supercharger Northern Region event at Auditorium Murad Mohd Noor in Sains@USM, Bukit Jambul, Penang.

The event was officiated by the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed.

The Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC) at USM was lauded by the Vice-Chancellor for fostering the bond between USM and the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI).

“CIC’s dedication and exceptional networking skills have been the driving force behind the success of this collaboration, especially in creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and advancement in technology transfer.

“This is largely attributed to the strong collaboration between USM, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), as represented by the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM),” he said.

Abdul Rahman strongly believed that the synergy created here today among institutions of higher learning, will undoubtedly strengthen the technology transfer efforts, foster innovation, and bolster the nation's competitiveness.

“Over the years following the collaboration between USM and MRANTI, USM researchers have actively taken part in MRANTI's Boot Camp programme to enhance the marketability of USM technology,” he said.

He added, “I would like to thank MRANTI again for its role in ensuring that the technologies and spin-offs in the Malaysian universities are not only visible, but also sustainable in the market. It is hoped that every TTO represented here at the MRANTI Supercharger event will reap the benefits of research and innovation development.”

“Let us work together to accelerate the transformation of knowledge into tangible solutions for the benefit of the nation and beyond.”

MRANTI is Malaysia’s central research and innovation commercialisation agency that accelerates ideas to market.

Among the VIPs present were Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, USM); Professor Dr. Russayani Ismail (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, UUM); Associate Professor Dr. Azila Ahmad Sarkawi (Deputy Director, Centre For Leadership Development (CLD), AKEPT); Khairul Mazwan (Senior Manager, Academia and Public Sector Partnership, MRANTI); Professor. Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan (Director, CIC USM); Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Faizal Omar (Director, Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, UUM); and Puan Sri Dr. Halila Faiza Zainal Abidin (Principal Assistant Secretary, Commercialisation Division, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation).  

Text: Siti Fatimah Abu Mansor