Cultivating Innovation Competitively

KAJANG, 16 NOV –   Only 2 years after it first started in IUKL in 2014, PERINTIS 2016 had already raised the benchmark of innovation and design competition among higher education institutions in Malaysia. The event which was held at Dewan Seri Sarjana, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) was attended by more than 2000 spectators ranging from primary school kids to university students and researchers.

Carrying the theme “Better Brighter for Sustainable Future”, the event was participated by 169 participants from institutions and industries, including 28 from schools nationwide, more than the first time it was being held in IUKL in 2014 with 97 participants.

“We are happy to be hosting this event, as innovation must be cultivated from root. We will always be supporting innovation and commercialization and to showcase our researchers’ products to society,” said Prof. Ir. Dato’ Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, the Vice-Chancellor of UNITEN.

The event which was officiated by Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been supported by Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry f Higher Education (MOHE) and TNB.

The chairperson of PERINTIS 2016, Prof. Ir. Dr. Lariyah Mohd Sidek said the event is also aimed to benefit the society in a long run, specifically in economy.

“Upon commercialization of products, they can generate income through sales. In a way we’re also producing a society who creates jobs not just for themselves but also to other people,” she added.

During the award presentation ceremony in RHR Hotel, UNITEN, the host had also won Best Comercial Potential Award by AP Ir. Dr. Kumaran Palanisamy, while Best of the Best Award was given to Vinothini Kasinathan from Universiti Putra Malaysia for her innovation called ‘MiKe: Remedy for Poisonous Slides’.

40 gold award and 8 special awards were given in the ceremony graced by the presence of Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau, minister of MOSTI.

“In UNITEN, we do not only focus on research and innovation but also what can be produced from the intellectual property. Hence a background of lecturers which do not only teach but also are inventors and entrepreneurs,” added Prof. Ir. Dr. Lariyah, who is also the Director of Innovation & Research Management (iRMC) UNITEN.

PERINTIS 2016 received sponsors from MOSTI, TNB, ZHL Engineers Sdn Bhd, Avicenna Studio, VORTEX Petro Consultant, ECOVAC and UNITEN R&D Sdn. Bhd.

As a show of support, Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin had also given a token of credentials to Prof. Dato’ Dr. Asbi Ali, Vice-President of Management & Science University (MSU) who will be the host of PERINTIS 2018.

Note : This article is brought to you by the Marketing and Corporate Communications (MCC) Department of UNITEN