Uitm Explores Collaboration Opportunities With Industry Through Biz.spotlight 2023

SHAH ALAM, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- The Biz.Spotlight 2023 programme organised by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) is a platform for the industry to explore the prospect of innovation and the university's research products that have the potential to be commercialised.

UiTM's Business Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (BITCOM) Director Associate Prof Dr Sabirin Zoolfakar said the programme which showcases the results of research and innovation from various fields in UiTM also aims to improve the quality of life of the community and meet the needs of the country.

Sabirin said the inaugural programme held under the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation for two days starting yesterday was also aimed at paying homage to UiTM's research and innovation results towards becoming a globally-renowned university (GRU2025).

He said through the programme, a total of 10 innovative products selected from UiTM researchers to be showcased and assessed for commercialisation potential by an industry panel appointed from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd.

"We started this programme last August with hundreds of UiTM researchers having their research and innovations screened by MTDC with the best 10 being selected at the final stage to be presented to the Cradle Fund to receive a grant for commercialisation purposes.

"This programme is also a platform for UiTM to offer expertise in research for the production of relevant products. The industry has ideas for production but may not have the expertise, so we can meet and match these two to find a common ground," he told reporters after the programme closed today.

Sabirin said in addition to the 'pitching' session of 10 innovative products, the programme also showcased various demonstrations of research results from all branches of UiTM aimed at giving the public an opportunity to understand the expertise and innovation produced by UiTM's academic experts.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dr Norazah Abd Rahman said the organisation of Biz.Sportlight 2023 proves that the collaboration between UiTM and industry partners works well and needs to be maintained in order to support the continuation of knowledge exploration and new discoveries at higher education institutions.

"The research and innovation results showcased here today reflect the diligent efforts of UiTM researchers covering various fields that cross the Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economic (MySTIE) framework.

"These products not only benefit the community, but are also in line with Malaysia's needs. UiTM plays a role as a university or knowledge building for the production of knowledge and innovation that is beneficial to the community.

Norazah also hoped that the organisation of the programme can continue next year on a larger scale, with the participation of more UiTM researchers as well as external researchers.

-- BERNAMA