PUTRAJAYA, 19 December 2016 - Cooperation established that is based on the quadruple helix concept, combining the expertise from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) together with government agencies and the industry, including those from the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) have been selected to be among the six finalists selected for the Prime Minister's Innovation Award (AIPM).

According to the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, the innovative project on "Varying Income Sources from New Resources Through the USM-NCIA-CREST Smart Partnership" was invited for the first time to participate in the competition and succeeded in being one of the finalists.

"Even though we did not win, I felt that this three-way cooperation for the last five years has produced results as it was chosen to be among the six departments or agencies to qualify for the finals, out of more than 180 entries," added Abdul Rahman in representing the USM Vice-Chancellor at the Prime Minister's and Public Sector Innovation Awards here.

The Malacca State Government emerged the winner of the AIPM award and took home the cash prize of RM1 million, a trophy and certificate, while second and third places belonged to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), taking home cash prizes of RM300,000 and RM200,000 with trophies and certificates respectively.

The Prime Minister Innovation Award is an initiative of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), Prime Minister's Department and the awards were presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.

"We have learnt to focus on projects with reduced costs and increased earnings, bringing great impacts and effects on society," added Abdul Rahman, who was accompanied by the Director of NCIA Building Section, Fajaffri Mohd Fadzil and the Senior Vice-President, CREST Research Management, Dr. Nor Azmi Alias.

AIPM was started in 2009 to replace the Prime Minister's Quality Award (AKPM) as a new approach towards acknowledging innovations in the public sector which emphasised both inventions and innovations.

Another award presented at the ceremony was the Public Sector Innovation Award (AISA) which comprised of four categories namely, Financial Management, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Local Government Authority and Land and District Administration. The awards were presented by the Chief Secretary to The Government of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin / Photo: Ahmad Zulman Mohd Zain