KUALA TERENGGANU, 11 Feb – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has continued to experience success in research commercialization activities, recording a gross revenue of RM1.6 million through its 11 start-up companies registered by its researchers throughout 2024.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said these companies not only contribute to the country’s economy but also create employment opportunities for graduates of UMT and other universities.

“To date, the start up companies have hired 16 staff, including 8 UMT alumni, 7 from other universities, and one UMT student currently undergoing industrial training,” said Prof. Zamri at the UMT Research Product Commercialisation Appreciation Ceremony at a hotel here today.

At the event, Bee Lab Sdn. Bhd was given the recognition for its achievement, which is having successfully obtained a RM100,000 grant from Cradle Sdn. Bhd. to develop its research products.

In addition, UMT also recorded a postive development through its first spin-off company JSORB Spill Tech Tech Sdn. Bhd. in which 60% of the equity is held by UMT Holdings Sdn. Bhd., while the other 40% is owned by two UMT researchers, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Lee Oon Jew and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Sabri Mohd Ghazali, both from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (FSSM).

“The close collaboration between UMT and the industry has helped the companies introduce their products into the market more effectively. Several companies, including Akuatrop Sdn. Bhd., ZEEC Tech Sdn. Bhd., Eastar Biotech Sdn. Bhd., and Superfood Biotech Sdn. Bhd. have signed intellectual property licensing agreement with UMT,” he aded.

Although UMT has found success, challenges regarding financing, patents, and marketing strategies remain to be the main issues faced by researchers in their product commerciaisation.

However, initiatives such as RDICE strategic plan approved during the National Science Council meeting on 24 May 2024 are hoped to be able to provide more support towards universities and researchers with regards to strengthening their innovations.  

“UMT always provides support to the researchers and we hope that more innovation products will be able to penetrate the global market,” said Prof. Zamri.

During the event , the Innovation and Commercialisation Centre, UMT, was recognized for having recorded an excellent achievement in MyRA assessment for 2024, especially for Section E (Innovation), with a score of 13.45 that exceeded the target overall socre of 13.00.

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Corporate Communications Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu