PENANG, July 2015 - Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDAS) has expressed its desire to collaborate with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in developing the wheelchair project to provide specially modified wheelchairs to underprivileged people with disabilities (PwD).

MiDAS Chief Executive, Leftenant General Datuk Dr. William Stevenson said MiDAS was very impressed with the initiative undertaken by USM in collaboration with Rajanagarindra Institute Child Development (RICD) Thailand in distributing about 100 wheelchairs and other mobility aids to people with disabilities and the needy in Malaysia.

He said the initiative was in line with the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS), and MiDAS which coordinates the NBOS initiative, saw the collaboration will be of great benefit, particularly to the disadvantaged communities in the country. 

"The USM-RICD wheelchair project is a very unique project, and MiDAS sees a great potential in this project and would very much like to be part of this cooperation that I believe can contribute to the further improvement of the lives of the PwD.

"MiDAS has electrical and electronics engineering laboratory facilities as well as the technical expertise which can be seen to add value to further improve the quality of the project. 

He said this when paying a courtesy visit to USM and to discuss on potential collaborations with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network) USM Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey at her office here recently.

Stevenson said besides benefitting the civilians and community at large, the wheelchair project could also benefit the military personnels including the retired soldiers or those retired due to service related disability.

“We will explore all possible avenues of collaboration with USM, and see how we could work with the university to further enhance and strengthen this noble initiative that has the potential to contribute to nation building,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ching Mey said since the USM-RICD project started in May 2012, it has touched the lives and brought much hope to many PwD who had mobility problems.

“This community engagement project has since then greatly benefit the community involved by helping to transform their lives and making them more mobile and independent especially with the availability of the customised and specially designed wheelchairs.

“Furthermore, this programme also involved the elements of knowledge transfer and sharing of expertise which is in line with the University’s desire to continue to remain relevant to the community by working closely with other government agencies and the industry,” she said.

Also present at the discussion was the Director of Community Networking (Division of Industry and Community Network) USM, Syed Yusof Syed Kechik.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa