Business

Friday September 4, 2009

A world of research at PECIPTA 2009


IF you are interested in observing the latest developments in the world of research, inventions and products in our country or even in finding a good team of researchers, then PECIPTA 2009 Exhibition (the Malay acronym for the International Exposition of Research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning) is a must-visit.

Focusing in the areas of Science and Technology and Social Sciences, this exhibition is an eye-opening experience for many on the abilities of local researchers.

There will be over 500 inventions from 22 participating institutions of higher learning.

The exhibition was rebranded in 2007 to give it a higher profile and to include private institutions of higher learning and selected overseas universities to participate.

This biennial event is the fifth in the series thus far. The first was hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2001, followed by Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2003, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2005 and Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2007.

An exhibitor helping a visitor try on a new invention at a previous PECIPTA exhibition

This year, Universiti Malaya is organising this expo in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. With its theme ‘Driving Research Innovation Towards Value Creation,’ PECIPTA 2009’s emphasis goes beyond just appearances.

Universiti Malaya Organising Chairperson Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohd said, “The main goals of PECIPTA this year are to see impactful research work. Products borne from university researches should have commercial viability and will have a beneficial impact on society at large.”

“This exhibition is hoped to secure wider participation of the industrial sector and innovation enablers. In today’s time of innovation, local companies can benefit by being in the know of cutting edge findings. This exposition focuses actively on research that has resulted in products that have been commercialised or have the potential,” added Prof Dr Rosmawati.

The organisers have taken steps to also actively involve related industries. Efforts are being made to involve major corporations, industry players, chambers of commerce and other related groups and individuals to play a central part in the exposition — not just through sponsorship but to be present at the exposition and to interact with participants.

For researchers with completed products, this can result in avenues for successful commercialisation and distribution of products.

For those whose inventions are at an early stage, this exposition can provide them with the needed exposure, which can help them not only to find out more about potential markets, but also to obtain research funding, the oft-crucial but missing element for most researchers.

The categories of exhibition include Biosciences and Biotechnology, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Health and Allied Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities.

The organisers are also working to help provide the exhibitors with opportunities to network directly with industries relevant to their products. The Business Matching Activity, a central activity in the exhibition brings together key industry players and major corporations who possibly have an interest in the research and inventions exhibited.

As research in university has in the past received little publicity except for within academic circles, PECIPTA 2009 is hoping to create awareness within all research in various institutions. Registered participants will be allocated some time to present their research to a number of business people and financiers to hopefully reach a fruitful agreement.

Time has also been given to highlight Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signings to publicise university-industry partnerships.

In an effort to enhance the visibility of products, a PECIPTA 2009 competition will also be held to discover an outstanding invention. Criterias are based on novelty and inventiveness, usefulness, commercial potential, academic recognition status (publication or presentation) / intellectual property protection and presentation and demonstration.

Apart from the exhibition, several workshops will be held, one of them on research commercialisation entitled “Building Value from Intellectual Property.’ Speakers from Queensland University and Melbourne University will conduct this workshop.

Another interesting workshop on Liquid Crystal and Self-Assembly will be most useful to manufacturing companies. Two Japanese speakers will take the audience through the novel use of liquid crystal in product innovation.

“We also have public lectures for the layman,” said Prof Dr Rosmawati. “Our two speakers have a very good track record in driving commercialisation,” she added.

The talks are “International Developments in Intellectual Property Commercialisation” by Dr Charles Day and “How to Enhance your Creative Spirit” by Dr John Kapeleris. These educational lectures will provide many insights to budding entrepreneurs and inventors.

PECIPTA 2009 will be held from Oct 8 to 10 at Hall 1 and 2 of the KL Convention Centre.

p For further information on PECIPTA 2009, please go to http://pecipta09.um.edu.my. You can also contact the PECIPTA 2009 Secretariat at Institute of Research Management and Monitoring, Level 3, IPS Building, Universiti Malaya, 50603 KL (Tel: 7967 6268; Email:
pecipta09@um.edu.my)

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