PENANG, 18 August 2016 – Organising the Novel Research and Innovation Competition (NRIC) 2016 in its 10^th year, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has shown that the competition remains a constructive avenue in building and developing the abilities of the students in areas of research.

As said by the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, USM would always support and encourage a competitive research programme such as this, that enabled students from various institutions of higher education locally and abroad participating and contesting their research products.

"I am truly proud of the achievement, commitment and consistency of those involved in NRIC 2016, which had brought forth the capabilities and innovations shown by the participants throughout the competition," he said in delivering the closing speech of NRIC 2016.

He added that, USM is an institution that focuses on research and would put great emphasis on the continuous expansion of research collaborations, locally and abroad.

Omar also conveyed his heartiest congratulations to those who have been involved in the success of NRIC 2016 at USM.

Meanwhile, the Project Director of NRIC 2016 Tan Kar Yap said that, this prestigious competition promotes the research development of the students’ products which were also put on display to the industries.

"Being among the pioneers in the field of innovations at higher educational institutions, we hoped that this competition would shine, as well as in leading other universities in sustaining innovative projects, which is in line with the development of science and technology in the country," he said.

A total of 97 projects were contested in NRIC 2016, competing in 6 categories and with the involvement of 21 members of the jury.

The organisation of NRIC was intended to run a competition for final-year undergraduate research projects from both public and private institutions of higher education, while the aim of organising the Community Research and Innovation Competition (CoRIC) 2016 was to encourage the students to work together on research ideas and innovations, in line with the instilled concept of CoRIC which is 'The Power of Idea'.

Also present at the ceremony were the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students Development Affairs and Alumni) Professor Dato' Dr. Adnan Hussein and wife; USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Jantan; USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Chief Juror Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad and Managing Director, Usains Holding Group, Edwin Jose Gomes.

Summary of NRIC 2016 results:

22 GOLD MEDALS
USM: 7
USIM: 2
RAJAMANGLA RMUTT: 2
KING MONGKUT KMUTT: 2
UKRIDA JAKARTA: 1
UMT: 3
UNIKL: 3
UNITEN: 1
UiTM Tapah: 1

SPECIAL AWARDS NRIC 2016
The Best NRIC Award: King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi,Thailand
Innovation Award: UNITEN
Creativity Award: UiTM Tapah
Sustainable/Green Technology Award: UNiKL MICET
Social Impact Policy Award: USIM
Best Presenter Award: Calvin Tjondronegoro (Ukrida Christian University, Indonesia)

CORIC 2016 AWARD (NRIC 2016) Champion: UMT; 1st Runner up: UMT; 2nd Runner up: UNiKL
Best Presenter Award: Pavitra Sivalinggan (UNiKL)

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah