Sains@USM, BUKIT JAMBUL, 28 February 2023 – The commercialisation process involves taking an idea from conception to market entry. The 'journey' consists of a number of processes and players, and it is a key way universities and research organisations prove their impact and the value they are adding to industry and society as a whole.

Realising the importance of commercialisation, the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Innovation and Consultation (CIC), in collaboration with the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) today hosted the USM-MRANTI SUPERCHARGER Northern Roadshow, held at Auditorium Murad Mohd Noor, Sains@USM, Bukit Jambul.

This one-day programme brought together researchers, university start-up and spin-off companies and invited industry partners from the Northern Region to interact and engage to improve the 'journey' towards commercialisation.

The aim of the programme was to provide the necessary exposure and platform to share various opportunities from MRANTI and industry partners with like-minded individuals in R&D and C&I community.

Present at the programme was USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry and Community Network, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran who officiated the programme on behalf of the USM Vice-Chancellor.

In his opening remarks, Azlan said that it is hoped that the participants of USM-MRANTI SUPERCHARGER will be able to learn, identify issues and challenges, as well as opportunities that can push forward innovations to the next level.

“At the end of today’s event, we would love to have an increased awareness about MRANTI and the industry partners’ offerings relating to commercialisation,” he said.

Azlan Amran added that, it is also hoped that the participating start-ups can gain the knowledge in pitching to attract the interest from potential clients or customers.

“Furthermore, I would like to see more activities regarding consultation or advisory on ideas being carried out, and how to improve or enhance innovation among the academia and industry partners,” he said.

The main activities included in the programme were:

1. Informative talk session on MRANTI offerings and Ecosystem Partners support;
2. Consultation on various programmes, facilities and offerings from other MRANTI ecosystem partners;
3. Pitching workshop on how to make a successful pitch;
4. Experiential Showcase from USM, MRANTI Offerings, Digital Penang and 25 Startups.

Through this programme, participants will gain:

1. Awareness about MRANTI and industry partners' offerings related to commercialisation;
2. Knowledge in pitching to attract the interest from potential clients/customers;
3. Consultation or advisory on ideas and how to improve or enhance innovation/invention.

Also present at the programme were MRANTI Nexus Acting General Manager, Muhamad Husni Md Zain; USM CIC Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan; former Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato' Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan; top management of ecosystem partners; university start-ups and spin-offs from USM, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP); and principal officers, lecturers and researchers from USM.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa