Idris: Aid will boost varsities’ image
KOTA KINABALU: Allocations for research work and upgrading of broadband services in public universities will boost the reputation of institutions of higher learning, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced an allocation of RM300 million to empower five research universities and another RM100 million for institutions of higher learning to increase publications and intellectual properties in the 2017 Budget.
Ethernet broadband services will also be upgraded to 100 gigabytes per second from the current three gigabyte.
“Our public universities, which are mostly aged below 50 years, have done outstanding research, some with international recognition.
“However, on products (and innovations), further research have to be done to turn research into commercial products at a cheaper price,” Idris said.
He added that products such as a vaccine for chickens from Universiti Putra Malaysia were already in the market.
He was speaking after hosting the second series of the Soaring Upwards programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here yesterday.
Present were his deputy Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching and UMSViceChancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah.
Idris said the high-speed broadband in public universities would complement the ministry’s effort in encouraging virtual and flexible education via video conference and online learning.
(centre) with Universiti Malaysia Sabah students at the yesterday. Pic by Erdiehazzuan Ab Wahid