KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) once again excelled by securing six gold medals from six entries at the 37th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026.

Held from 18 to 20 May 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), ITEX 2026 serves as a premier platform for researchers and innovators to showcase their inventions and technologies to key stakeholders, including investors and venture capitalists, for potential commercialisation opportunities.

In addition to achieving a remarkable 100% success rate in medal wins, four USM researchers also received prestigious special awards, namely the Asian Invention Excellence Award, Best SME Innovative for Intellectual Property (IP) Award Category for AI/Agriculture Sectors, JIPA Award for Best Invention in Information, Communication Technology; and Innovation Excellence awarded by Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah.

The four researchers who received the prestigious recognitions were Associate Professor Dr. Tan Joo Shun, Dr. Hasber Salim, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Shankar Karuppayah, and Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan.

The six USM researchers and their award-winning innovations are as follows:

1. Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan (School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering) Polynex BioCompostable Mulch Film – Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Biomass Innovation.
2. Associate Professor Dr. Tan Joo Shun (School of Industrial Technology) Lassica K014 – Smart Postbiotic K014: One Solution for Antimicrobial Defense, Gut Health, and Skin Repair.
3. Associate Professor Dr. Rafidah Zainon (Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, PKTAAB) EcoShield-X – Advanced Interlocking Lead-Free Nano-Composite Brick for X-ray and Gamma Radiation Shielding; prototype development of eco-friendly, lightweight interlocking tungsten carbide-based polymeric composite bricks with nano filler for radiation shielding.
4. Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Shankar Karuppayah (School of Computer Sciences) OwlSight – Outsourced Security Operation Centre for SMEs.
5. Dr. Hasber Salim (School of Biological Sciences) TITO™ BOX v3 – Development of Bioacoustic Attraction System Integrated with Research-Proven Nest Box for Barn Owls.
6. Dr. Ahmad Fakrurrozi Mohamad (Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, PKTAAB) HyBIRT (Hybrid Brachytherapy followed by Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) Protocol – Radiation therapy protocol for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma organ preservation.

According to the Director of USM Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC), Professor Dr. Mohd Hazwan Hussin, the achievement reflects USM’s continued commitment towards strengthening innovation excellence, impactful research, and the commercialisation of university-developed technologies that address both industry and community needs.

He added that innovations developed by universities should be further elevated and recognised so that they can be effectively translated into solutions that address real challenges faced by industry players and society.

“The hope is that innovations from university research and competitions such as ITEX can be further developed, accepted, and brought forward for commercialisation, so that they can meaningfully solve problems faced by both industry and the community,” he said.

ITEX 2026 attracted approximately 700 submissions from public and private universities, research institutions, and industry players nationwide.

The exhibition featured inventions across 15 exhibition classifications and seven competition categories related to innovation and technology.

ITEX remains Malaysia’s longest-running invention, innovation, and technology competition and exhibition, continuing to serve as a catalyst for advancing research, creativity, and commercialisation at both national and international levels.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi, Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC), USM