KOTA KINABALU: Local researchers were urged to focus more on producing strategical fields that have the potential to bring out positive values and contribution towards the country’s development, especially Sabah.
The call came from Universiti Malaysia Sabah Vice Counselor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah, while adding that UMS would continue to put its focus on the tourism and agriculture sectors, which have always been its niche research.
Mohd Harun said this in his speech during the closing of the Research and Innovation (PEREKA) Competition at UMS.
The event was graced by the Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Kamarlin Ombi who represented his minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.
“The marine industry which owns a place in the state’s economic structure will also continue to get exclusive attention in UMS research agenda, while the technology of forest industry and plantation fields need to be updated often to meet the current market and technology development,” he added.
He said these critical sectors are not only a part of the UMS academic structure, but also the main thrust of its research works.
“I hope all the works and efforts in research and development in producing innovative products will be continued as they not only help to boost the university’s performance but also contribute to nation building,” he said.
Mohd Harun also stressed that these innovative products, which have commercial values, would be among their priority as it meets the justification and criteria of its research grants.
“The potential of commercials and socioeconomic values is among the important criteria in selecting the winners of this PEREKA competition,” he said, adding that in an effort to improve its research findings, through the commercialization and collecting profit for the university, they also take note of the importance on intellectual property (IP) as a new medium in generating economy and determining the competitive level in the national and international circuit.
“For that purpose, in conjunction with this Designer 2013, UMS is pleased to sign an agreement for pre-commercialisation of supplements for chicken for meat breading,” he said.