PENANG, 14 April 2014 – The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, today visited the ItraMAS Corporation Sdn. Bhd. factory in Prai Industrial area at the invitation of a USM alumnus, Lee Choo Boo.

In the one and a half hour visit, the Vice-Chancellor visited the designing laboratory, testing laboratory, research and development (R&D) laboratory, production laboratory and several laboratories which housed sophisticated equipment related to the production of Light Emission Diode (LED) lights.

Besides visiting the laboratories, the Vice-Chancellor was also briefed on the R&D activities carried out, operations and processes associated with the production of high quality, environmentally friendly, safe, yet comfortable LED lights that can save energy up to 50% under the brand name Q-RAY.

Omar and Lee also held discussions to see how USM and ItraMAS could work in the research and development of solid-state lighting (SSL) and LED.

“I understand that there are some aspects that can be developed from the cooperation between USM and ItraMAS, among which USM can send undergraduate students majoring in Physics and Chemistry for industry training or internship at the ItraMAS factory and after that continue their studies at postgraduate level or even pursue a post-doctoral studies in the field of SSL and LED.

“I am impressed with the facilities and infrastructure of the existing research laboratory which would provide an environment conducive to USM students to conduct their research,” said Omar.

Lee welcomed Omar’s proposal and hoped that the expertise of USM researchers and teaching staff can be shared to boost research and development in related technologies in the company to a higher level.

Lee, a graduate of USM's Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1995, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ItraMAS Corporation (established in 1999), a global leader in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Security and Surveillance Systems and also LED lighting.

Also present were the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dr. Muhamad Jantan; USM Centre for Research Initiatives in Natural Sciences Director, Professor Dr. Zainuriah Hassan, and also ItraMAS administration and management staff.

Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohamad Danial Shahri