SIRIM Bhd – an agency under the purview of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and a corporatised body since Sept 1, 1996 – is set to become the champion of frontier technology within six years, through the adaptation of its own digital factory and open innovation model that calls for a comprehensive new set of rules, the latest tech solutions and cross-functional teams.
With Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad helming SIRIM, the 57-year old aerospace engineering expert and technopreneur is well poised to push the agency to achieve its vision as the “best partner for innovation” for its key stakeholders – namely the government, industries and society.
“We want to address issues and pain points faced by local manufacturers such as low commercialisation or uptake on the innovation products and services produced.
“One of our efforts is through a model identified as ‘digital factory’ – an initiative to enhance our innovation process starting from idea to commercialisation for the rakyat (people-centric), small and medium enterprises (SME-centric), and employing frontier technology.
‘Ultimately, we want people to remember that if they want to accomplish something with technology, they should come to Sirim,’ said Ahmad Sabirin.
“Apart from that, we also hope to address problems such as insufficient experts and capabilities, limited source of funding to invest in new technology, and long development time to produce one product.
“To do this, a close-knit collaboration is required between internal SIRIM and external parties to resolve industry goal challenges via open innovation hub.
“It allows SIRIM to explore, collaborate, research, experiment, develop, pilot and commercialise various innovations using ‘garage innovation’ and agile approach,” said Ahmad Sabirin, president and group chief executive officer of SIRIM Bhd.
The SIRIM Digital Factory and open innovation concept enables SIRIM to engage with the external ecosystem of innovators. Its frame and structure ensure agile project management, distributed innovation, network orchestration and enhance partnerships and collaboration.
“Eventually, SIRIM as a digital factory and open innovation hub aspires to be able to rapidly tailor products to the individual needs of its diverse customers as well as respond instantly to changing demands and trends,” he said.
Frontier technology
The government is targeting Malaysia to achieve high-income status and be the centre of technology and innovation for frontier technology. This is to attract the best local and foreign talent to deliver solutions for the various industries’ issues and challenges.
After 25 years of corporatisation, SIRIM will continue to strengthen its branding and strive to remain resilient to achieve its business growth and sustainability targets, aiming to be the best partner for innovation.
SIRIM is inspired to be the leader in frontier technologies such as blockchain, quantum computing, IoT, industrial IoT, Internet of Everything (IoE), big data, artificial intelligence, as well as autonomous tech and drone – all key technologies in today’s smart manufacturing and smart cities.
A recent collaboration with Turkish Aerospace to develop the country’s aerospace industry ecosystem has set SIRIM’s focus in the sector.
“SIRIM and Turkish Aerospace also hoped to develop the International Strategic Technology Business Framework in relation to aerospace industries and identify total solution for implementation of Industrial 4.0 smart manufacturing projects,” Ahmad Sabirin said.
“We are also looking into developing local maintenance, repair and overhaul expertise for aerospace industries.
“Apart from that, SIRIM through our research arm will facilitate research and development processes with strategic industrial partnering for any new applications such as advanced material which include nano coating, carbon fibre and polymer.”
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, SIRIM will be leading the Aerospace Quality Management System Certification as part of the government’s efforts to develop the industry.
In driving frontier technologies, SIRIM needs to implement digitalisation programmes which require organisations to change and improve their information technology (IT) infrastructure and business systems completely and drastically.
With this mindset, a digitalisation roadmap was crafted – a five-year strategic plan which includes the implementation of the latest top-notch IT infrastructure and systems to support various subsidiaries’ initiatives.
The plan which kickstarted in 2019 includes the upskilling and reskilling of internal capabilities, business process improvement and applying frontier technologies that are guided by two key principles – for the benefit of the people (rakyat-centric) and that they should solve industries’ issues and challenges (SME-centric).
While having SIRIM strengthening its in-house systems and capabilities using frontier technology, SIRIM will continue to lead industrial tech by employing cutting-edge innovations.
One example is SIRIM’s Industrial Centre of Innovation in Sensors which developed the Kelulut Integrated Information System (KIIS) using IoT technology that measures the temperature and humidity of kelulut (stingless bee) hives in real time so that the colony stays productive to produce honey.
Despite the pandemic, in 2020, SIRIM assisted 13,603 companies and launched 39 new products and services such as My3D Printing Marketplace – a digital platform that can translate ideas and designs into real form using 3D printing technology which is mainly being used by independent designers, technology entrepreneurs and manufacturing companies.
“Ultimately, we want people to remember that if they want to accomplish something with technology, they should come to SIRIM,” said Ahmad Sabirin.
SME-centric technology
Small and medium enterprises are considered the backbone of the Malaysian economy, providing jobs and growth opportunities.
However, in 2020, SMEs’ gross domestic product contracted 7.3% to RM512.8bil.
As a premier industrial research and technology organisation in Malaysia and the national champion of quality, SIRIM wants to play its roles effectively and efficiently in providing assistance to SMEs facing challenges during this endemic phase of Covid-19.
The plan is to increase technology adoption, such as through the SIRIM-Fraunhofer programme – a collaboration since 2015 between SIRIM and Fraunhofer Institute of Germany to enhance productivity of SMEs in manufacturing.
The Hybrid Green Energy Kiln solution incorporates three technological interventions to improve energy efficiency and is expected to save up to 60% of the overall energy costs involved in timber-drying operations.
In 2020, the SIRIM-Fraunhofer programme registered 68 new technology audit applications, conducted 200 technology audits, approved 133 technology uptake projects and trained 130 SME personnel.
Meanwhile, the SIRIM-ECER (East Coast Economic Region) entrepreneur development programme has helped 481 micro SMEs to generate a 27% increase in new jobs – from 967 workers to 1,229 workers – after completion of the programme in 2020.As part of its corporate social responsibility, since August, SIRIM has assisted 30 micro, small and medium enterprises impacted by the pandemic to improve the quality of their product presentation and enjoy better sales.
Under this programme, these entrepreneurs mostly from the food and beverage industry received aid in the form of brand development, labelling, nutrition content and basic digital marketing.
SIRIM also provides technologies and solutions to help SMEs upgrade themselves by improving their manufacturing productivity and quality. For example, the Hybrid Green Energy Kiln project with the Association of Malaysian Bumiputra Timber and Furniture Entrepreneurs (Peka) incorporates three technological interventions to improve energy efficiency and is expected to save up to 60% of the overall energy costs involved in timber-drying operations.
People-centric technology
SIRIM utilises its technologies, resources and capabilities, and aligns strategies and executions in accordance to policies and programmes such as the 12th Malaysia Plan, National Ecommerce Strategic Roadmap, Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, Fourth Industrial Revolution, 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Framework, and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint – to benefit the nation, ensure sustainability and boost the economy.
“In advocating Environment, Social and Governance, SIRIM has also put emphasis on technologies that benefit communities in general, such as SIRIM’s water purification system for rural areas and street solar lighting,” said Ahmad Sabirin.
SIRIM Ayaq Nano – an environment-friendly water filtration system that uses the latest nanotechnology with ultraviolet scanning light polypropylene micro filtration – can filter up to 5,000 litres of water.
In supporting the pharmaceutical and medical industries, SIRIM provides national assurance that the vaccines procured satisfy international criteria for safety, efficacy and manufacturing.
Ahmad Sabirin considers SIRIM’s people to be its main asset and looks forward to equipping them with the right tools to thrust the group forward in the coming years.
He said there is a need to create an innovation-focused environment that encourages risk-taking and embrace failure.
“At SIRIM, it is necessary to take risks to move forward and stay relevant. We must be disruptive and brave. In places like the Silicon Valley, you will be applauded any time there is a setback because you learn a lot more when you fail than when you succeed.
“I support this as I want SIRIM to be a leader, not a follower. We need to adopt a ‘can do better’ attitude without fear of failing to achieve this!” he stressed.
He also wants to groom the next generation of leaders and encourages them to come forward with their ideas.
“We have skilled and talented people at SIRIM, and I look forward to introducing them to the world,” he enthused.
