Three decades of innovation
WITH the advent of Industrial Revolution 4.0, the incorporation of digital technology in manufacturing and industrial practices has become a necessity.
Hence, the 30th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX), held from May 2 to 4 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was organised in line with the shift towards a digital age.
Themed “Inventing for Digital Era”, the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS) and C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd (CIS) co-organised the exhibition to create the perfect platform to premiere the latest inventions and set innovative ideas in motion.
The exhibition showcased more than 1,000 inventions from more than 20 countries. Twenty-nine Malaysian universities and 14 research institutions took part in the event.
ITEX ran concurrently with the third World Young Inventors Exhibition (WYIE), an avenue for promising young people to explore their critical-thinking skills through innovation.
Launched by Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change deputy minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, the event falls under one of the ministry’s focus areas, which is wealth creation through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Isnaraissah said ITEX was a professional marketplace for inventors that contributed to STI.
“As a nation, we aspire to become a developed country by 2025. For Malaysia to further fuel its socioeconomic growth, there has to be concerted efforts to drive STI by encouraging creativity and innovation, strengthening market-driven research and development, and sourcing new technology.
“Industry collaborations, as well as developing and attracting the right talents, are necessary in this competitive and increasingly borderless world.”
Third-time exhibitor Associate Professor Dr Mahendran Sekar bagged a gold award for his brainchild called Nano Embelin, which facilitates cancer drug delivery. His team members comprised fellow lecturer Ahmad Zawawi Musa and students Nurul Azima Mazlan, Puteri Zarith Sofea Yusri and Nurin Fatini Ghazali.
“We did not manage to secure investments, but we formed some linkages to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry to develop this product,” said the lecturer from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak.
Mahendran said through ITEX, his team had received many inquiries about their invention from researchers and the public alike.
Universiti Teknologi Petronas lecturer Dr Mazeyanti Mohd Ariffin said the exhibition provided her the platform to showcase her team’s agricultural invention — Preditack — to the world.
Preditack is a machine that scans, detects and immobilises golden apple snails in padi fields, helping farmers to combat the pest.
“Investors from Taiwan have shown interest in Preditack. I received positive and constructive feedback from individuals, companies and academicians,” said Mazeyanti, whose invention won her a gold medal.
MINDS president Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Augustine Ong Soon Hock emphasised on building up the mindset of the young to encourage a culture of inventing and said: “We wish to help Malaysian youths gain confidence in solving problems.
“When our youths discover something new, it brings benefits to themselves and society. You can read books and learn all the knowledge in the world, that is commendable.
“But you are not making any contributions.
Through WYIE, young Malaysians can channel their creativity and showcase their inventions globally.”
For WYIE exhibitor and SMK Raja Mahadi team leader Kayalvizhi Manivannan, 16, participating in the exhibition has given her new insight.
“We hope to get investors from abroad so we can market our invention and get more funding.”
Kayalvizhi,whose team won gold for inventing a sprout pencil maker made od recycled paper, continued by saying: “It is a great exposure to participate in ITEX. I made new friends from other countries.”
More than 400 inventions by Malaysian primary and secondary school students were featured under WYIE, in addition to schools from nine countries like Taiwan and Indonesia.
Ong said ITEX had come a long way since its debut in 1989 with 50 exhibits only.
“The progressive growth is a testimony of the industry’s recognition of our dedication in encouraging innovation and invention in Malaysia and regional countries,” said Ong.
“Each year has revealed hidden gems in the invention world, reinforcing my conviction that the sky is the limit when it comes to the creativity and ingenuity of the human mind. Quantum leaps have been made in the technological realm, thus more products being showcased at ITEX are technologically driven, in line with the IR 4.0.
“With ITEX, I look forward to seeing plenty of fruitful partnerships being formed,” said Ong, adding that the commercialisation of inventions remained one of the biggest challenges in research and development.
CIS president Datuk Vincent Lim said the average percentage for an invention to be commercialised was five per cent.
“In the future, we hope that the commercialisation journey will be shortened. ITEX allows investors to unleash their untapped potential and gain exposure. We hope to see an increase in the commercialisation percentage in the years to come.”
Also present at the launch were International Federation of Inventors Associations representative Adam Rylski and MINDS vice-president Datuk Choo Yuen May.
We wish to help Malaysian youths gain confidence in solving problems. Tansridatukdr Augustine Ong Soon Hock MINDS president