As institutions of higher learning, universities become platforms where knowledge is created. New knowledge may stem from innovative mindset. Thus, it is important that a culture that centres on innovation is cultivated at universities. Innovative mindset should exist in every university scholar and academician. Innovation-centred universities will help develop creative and innovative societies. Focusing on innovation is one of the shifts in Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2021. Shift 7 in the blueprint aims to create innovation ecosystem at institutions of higher learning through public and private research networks.

The existence of universities as creators of knowledge will be further recognized by societies if universities are able to find solutions to problems societies are facing with. For example, universities are expected to find a formula for solving the Covid-19 pandemic that is still ongoing. For finding solutions, universities are allocated research fund every year from the government, private sectors, and the industries to conduct research. In the context of Malaysia, the 2021 Budget has allocated RM400 million towards research and development to promote the advancement of research at agencies and institutions of higher learning.

Research solutions will become more meaningful if they are not only converted into  high impact publications but also translated into various types of innovations that will benefit the people. This notion fits the definition of innovation by Asian Conference on Education and International Development (ACEID). ACEID is a forum where international academicians and scholars meet and discuss the current development of academic world. Innovation is defined by ACEID as “an effort to introduce a practice in order to bring about a social change. The practice need not be totally new, its efficiency and potentially in a new context are the main criteria used in labelling of its innovation. The emphasis is on change in terms of providing a strategy to deal with a specific local or national problem.” Turning research solutions into innovations requires researchers to have innovative mindset. The mindset will exist in a culture that values innovations.

It needs to be understood that innovation is a continuous process and can be triggered by certain factors and produced through various methods and approaches. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic the world is now facing has opened up avenues for many innovations. These innovations were on display during Innovation Carnival 2020 that was hosted by UMT. The carnival was recently held online from 29 November to 3 December. The carnival not only drew participation from UMT staff but also from other public universities, community colleges, and schools around Terengganu. In total, the carnival showcased 174 projects.

Carrying the theme Innovation as Catalyst for Sustainable Generation, the carnival divided the awards into two categories: management innovation, and teaching and learning innovation. Participating projects ranged from a system for monitoring access to campus during the MCO to a system for identifying and selecting future leaders in higher education. One of the participating agencies in the carnival was Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), who showcased a project titled Unilead, a system that help AKEPT manage the records of future leaders in higher education. The project won gold medal and Special Jury Award. UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said during her opening speech that creating a culture that values innovation begins with making people understand what is innovation, and one of the ways to educate people on innovation is through events like the innovation carnival.

Involvement from various educational agencies in UMT’s initiative served as manifestation that universities and institutions of higher learning in this country have realized their roles and responsibilities of helping the country move towards being an innovative country. Currently, based on the 2020 Global Index Report, Malaysia has been able to improve its standing, moving up from 35 last year to 33.

Universities and innovation are inseparable. Innovation not only allows universities to progress but it is very much connected to the survival of universities in the global arena. Proliferation of virtual universities such as Coursera, Skillshare, Udemy, Future Learn or Moodle during the digital era with  advanced information technology can possibly snatch away the roles and functions of universities as sources of reference and providers of highly distinguished experts. To maintain their relevance, universities must continue to change and innovate. Universities need to act of these fast.

Translation by:
Corporate Communication Centre
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Original Malay version by:

Zukiferee  Ibrahim
Registrar
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu