Workshop engages industries, SMEs to up productivity
SIBU: A seminar and workshop organised by Public-Private Research Network ( PPRN) was held here yesterday, with Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee declaring it open representing Assistant Minister of Industrial Development ( Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
The event was hosted by Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with UiTM Sarawak and the state government represented by Ministry of Industrial Development Sarawak.
Among those present were deputy secretary- general (Administration) to the Ministry of Higher Education ( MOHE) Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, Sibu Deputy Resident (Social) Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan and Associate Professor Dr Rashidah Mahdi from UiTM Sarawak.
The objectives of the seminar and workshop are to engage industries and SMEs in Sarawak and promote the programme for application and benefit to increase productivity through projects.
Similar seminars were held in Miri on Feb 29 and Limbang on March 2.
PPRN, launched by the prime minister in Putrajaya on Feb 24 last year, is a strategic collaboration model between academia and industry with intermediation support from MOHE and other federal and state agencies to increase productivity and strengthen Malaysian economic development through innovation and commercialization programmes.
PPRN is among strategic initiatives under the 11th Malaysia Plan for wealth creation through innovation. It is also part of the ministry’s initiative under MOHE Blueprint: 2015-2025 to strengthen innovation ecosystem for higher education landscape.
Its objective is to create knowledge- friendly ecosystem in Malaysia through applied research where PPRN provides a platform for an environment where science and technology knowledge is produced and diffused from academia in higher education institution to industries and SMEs who need it for their productivity enhancement.
Project scope includes issues or problems regarding product development and innovation; process development and innovation and value enhancement in supply chain.
PPRN offers matching grant for research and innovation project where at the end of matching session the commitment is needed for project development cost. PPRN may provide fund assisting up to RM50,000 per project.
Application is open to all companies registered in Malaysia especially SMEs with at least RM50,000 annual sales turnover.
Project proposed must be technological in nature or have technical/technology problem in their product/services already at commercial state, that is, ready in market but may need improvement in term of process or product itself.
Public may get further information on PPRN from its official website www.ppm.mohe. gov.my and any inquires or registration for application can be made through email ppm@ mohe. gov.my or phone 03-88705090 or 0388705085.