UTP has been awarded the highest Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s (MOSTI) TechnoFund amounting to RM 1,132,900 million, for a single project. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, YB Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin presented the award to UTP at a special presentation ceremony held at Putrajaya.
TechnoFund is a grant scheme which aims to stimulate the growth and successful innovation of Malaysian enterprises by increasing the level of R&D and its commercialisation. The scheme provides funding for technology development, up to pre-commercialisation stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses and generate economic wealth for the nation.
The award is for UTP’s research project titled “Rescue-I Monitoring System” led by Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Kamil Mahmood, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology UTP, with Dr Hanita Daud, Assoc Prof Dr Jafreezal Jaafar, Ir Dr Nursyarizal Mohd Nor, Assoc Prof Dr Irraivan Elamvazuthi, Azwin Azrina Ahmad and Ruzaini Rahmad as the key researchers.
The project is about equipping fire-fighters with IT gadget during fire breakouts operation. The gadget comprises of four in-house developed patents at UTP namely the physiology monitor, integrated transceiver, breathing air level transmitter and portable control unit. The integration of the gadgets forms a new and novel integrated system as an innovative solution for rescuers – first of its kind in Malaysia and ASEAN countries at competitive price.
Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) Perak has been supportive of this project since its inception, where BOMBA Perak has played a vital role in providing user requirements, conducting field tests and obtaining international certification. As such, the gadget will naturally qualify as a potential market and it could be further extended to the whole of Malaysia and abroad.
The project is a result of concerted efforts and smart partnerships between Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Kamil and his team members with Semarak Motivasi Sdn. Bhd.
With this achievement, it has demonstrated UTP’s continuous commitment in research, development and innovation in line with its aspiration to become a reputable research university.
Apart from UTP, MOSTI also awarded funds totalling RM2,822,030 million to five other recipients namely Aquatech Bio Resources Sdn. Bhd. (TechnoFund), Universiti Sains Malaysia (ScienceFund), Universiti Putra Malaysia (ScienceFund), SIFT Center Sdn. Bhd. (InnoFund) and Mohamad Rizvi Othman (InnoFund).
