KUALA LUMPUR, November 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) won three gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal in the 2014 BioInnovation Awards held in conjunction with the Pharma+Bio Manufacturing 2014 and Biotechnology Asia.

Research product by the lecturer at the School of Health Sciences, Dr. Zuraida Zainun, named BAL EX Mobile Virtual Room (BEMVR) won a gold medal and a special award for the Best Innovative Invention.

BEMVR is a room that is equipped with a multicoloured lamp which can help to restore the balance of patients with a minimum treatment of an hour per session and a minimum of four sessions.

“The therapy is suitable for people who suffer from dizziness or experiencing blackouts when they are in busy environments such as at markets and shopping complexes," said Zuraida after the award ceremony.

“Alhamdulillah I am very thankful and surprised to have won this award,” added Zuraida who will also be receiving a World Women Scientific Award in Seoul Korea next month.

Two other products that won gold medals are the products of the Dean of School of Industrial Technology, Professor Dr. Azhar Mat Easa, who produced the Ulam Raja extract: a functional additive for green tea bags and lecturer of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Ismail Dr. Zhari Ismail who produced the Kelat Paya Waste-to-Wealth: Transformation into high value product.

Products that won silver and bronze medals are as follows: -

SILVER

Dr. Syed A. Ali - L-DNAScreen CRC

Dr. Husnul Azan Tajarudin - Leachate to acetic and butyric acid

Dr. Gan Chee Yuen - PARKIA-BIOPEP

Mohd Azam Osman - M-Health for TB Patients

BRONZE

Dr. Leo Choe Peng - Golden Glue

USM submitted 10 research products for participation in this exhibition. The other two products are from Associate Professor Dr Putra Sumari - BreCADs: Breast Cancer Diagnosis System and also Dr. Muhamad Norazura Bunnori - Green USM Reinforced Concrete (GUSMRC).

USM also won two other awards, namely, the most creative booth and also the first place for a booth with a space-saving design.

BioInnovation Awards 2014 is an annual event that is eagerly anticipated by researchers and it was organised by the Professional Trade Exhibition & Meeting Planners and also Malaysian Association of Research Scientists in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text & Photo: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain