PENANG, 13 July 2014 - The results of researches available in the local universities are to be used for the benefit of the community. They are to be shared and leveraged to enhance the quality of life in various fields so that they remain relevant to our national needs.

“As research efforts of the local universities are formally recognised by the government including the setting up of Research Universities in the country, it is now opportune to introduce the research products and findings to the community and share them with the community,” said USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, today.

Speaking during the recording of the talk show programme Analisis Awani for Astro Awani at USM, Omar said, USM ensured that the Division of Industry and Community Network (BJIM) that was established through an initiative with the Education Ministry will engage the community directly in its various projects.

“This was to ensure that the university’s research products are delivered directly to the community,” Omar said at the talk show that was chaired by Haji Nazri Kahar.

He then added that the university has set up a number of mechanisms through the various research centres to bring research-based knowledge directly to the public, including providing mobile vans to educate people on renewable energy and green technology as well as dental and medical breakthrough.

USM is working closely with various parties, including the Malacca State Government and the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) to run the Green Technology Programme and recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation and the Pulau Banding Foundation. The former enables scientific research to be carried out to save endangered orangutan species while the latter was to conduct a scientific study on the flora and fauna for the benefit of community at the Belum rainforest.

According to Omar, USM intends to initiate long-term projects such as ‘One Professor, One Community’ Project in the future that can directly drive the academics to use their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society.

“The person does not necessarily be a professor; each academic staff will be given motivation and certain incentives to carry out projects that will benefit society according to their interest across the broad range of disciplines available," said Omar.

Asked about how the university is going to retain talents in terms of recognition of their expertise, USM Vice-Chancellor said that this should be looked at very closely and the university will fine appropriate methods in recognising and rewarding them for what they produce.

"I hope that the government, agencies and the public see the importance and relevance of their work for the community and the country which should be fully utilised by us," added Omar.

He also suggested that for the next Malaysia Plan, the government can create a policy on how to utilise local expertise more effectively and ask the industry to work closer with the experts on research and innovation.

"We know that our academics really hoped that their expertise can be shared, not just for academic purposes, writing and publishing a journal, but rather use the results for the benefit of the public as was done by USM in producing clean water for the orang asli communities and several other projects through the Division of Industry and Community Network," he added.

He added that USM intends to continue its efforts to promote research findings and bring them to the community, and cultivate lecturers and researchers to develop a heart for the community by conducting a systematic and strategic long-term planning. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text & Photo: Mohamad Abdullah