Prof Asma says USM’s achievement is on par with other universities globally. — Bernama
UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) has succeeded in commercialising about 5.2% of its research and development (R&D) products through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) of the Higher Education Ministry.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail said this achievement was on par with other universities globally, even surpassing the normal R&D commercialisation rate, of five percent.
“The study conducted affects community health treatment and industries, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to continue competing, giving impact to the country's economic development," she said after launching the 21st National Conference On Medical and Health Sciences.
Also present were USM Governor board member Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Arif and USM Kubang Kerian Health Campus director Datuk Mafauzy Mohamed.
Prof Asma said regardless of challenging current issues faced and fast-paced changes in the medical world, USM remained steadfast in carrying out frontier research that could give impact the country as a whole.
"Among the challenges faced are opposition against the use of vaccines. As a result, certain diseases that have been contained through vaccine immunisation have resurfaced and have the potential of turning into an outbreak like diphtheria," she said.
On the conference held, Prof Asma said the annual event would become a platform for researchers to present their findings that could be applied in daily life.
"This is where social responsibility can be contributed through their expertise in research, product development and health intervention in the medical world," she said.
The two-day conference involved more than 100 researchers who presented their findings before being commercialised. – Bernama
