UNIVERSITI Malaya's (UM) Engineering Faculty has collaborated with five global organizations to set up the engineering@UM - Industrial Innovation Center (UM-IIC) inside the campus. UM is targeting RM230 million in value generation over five years as it partners with five global companies. This collaboration is across diverse sectors to develop new technologies and products, as part of its new academic partnership to develop new funding streams for the university.
The five companies are Daikin Malaysia Sdn Bhd (air conditioning), Ossur (orthopaedic), Rohde & Schwarz Malaysia Sdn Bhd (wireless communications), Motorola Solutions Malaysia (wireless technology), and Proton Holdings Berhad (automotive). These companies own an industrial laboratory within the faculty to conduct research and development (R&D) activities.
Japanese-owned Daikin Malaysia plans to invest RM800 million over the next five years and is working closely with UM to develop high-efficiency cooling systems. Global technology leader Rohde & Schwarz industrial will focus on the area of extremely high frequency and wireless communications, while Motorola Solutions lab presents an opportunity to intensify research into cutting-edge radio frequency technology. Proton’s industrial lab will focus on products refinement, enhancing the quality and reliability of its cars as well as energy efficiency and ergonomics. Iceland’s Ossur, a provider in non-invasive orthopaedic products is looking to conduct studies and trials on technologies on local patients using Malaysia as a launch pad to evaluate and test product ideas for the region.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who was present at the signing of the MoU, lauded UM in taking the lead to initiate this high-level academic-industry partnership. These five companies’ experts working with UM’s researchers, funding all or part of the projects, and working towards the goal of joint commercialisation of products will create a win-win situation for all parties.
UM also signed an MoU with the medical device innovation centre or National Cheng Kung University from Taiwan to set up joint research for medical devices. This collaboration is to set up joint research centre focusing on medical devices. UM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Jalaludin said the collaboration demonstrates UM’s responsiveness towards the industry’s needs and commitment to developing the next generation of talent. According to him, the UM-IIC allows companies to leverage their research capabilities and expertise while empowering the students with first-hand, real-world and invaluable experiences.
Besides that, Mohd Amin also mentioned that the target of RM230 million in value generation represents investments made by the five companies, projected intellectual property and patents, arising from research and development into sustainable and new technologies. This will also include the commercialisation of innovative and high-value products for both local and international markets, as these efforts will help develop new funding streams for the university between 2017 and 2022. Furthermore, the collaboration demonstrates the university’s responsiveness in engaging industry needs and its commitment to growing Malaysia’s talent pool.
Last Update: 18/02/2022