First University-Industry Research Consortium (UIRC) Steering Committee Meeting Sets Strategic Direction
The UIRC recently held its first Steering Committee Meeting, approving several significant initiatives of the research consortium.
The UIRC, launched by YTL Cement and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in 2023, represents a landmark partnership between universities and industries. Over the next five years, the UIRC will provide scholarships to up to 40 Master’s and PhD students, supporting research endeavours focused on the sustainability of tropical limestone karst landscapes in Malaysia.
This meeting follows the first Scientific Committee meeting held earlier this year and the first UIRC roadshow held at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
The UIRC Steering Committee members are responsible for determining the direction and policies of UIRC. The meeting was attended by:
1. Dato' Hamidah Maktar, Executive Director of Associated Pan Malaysia Cement Sdn Bhd
2. Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, UIRC Director
3. Professor Dr. Azlinda Binti Azman, Director General of Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi
4. Datuk Aziyah Mohamad, Director of Green Enable Technology Sdn Bhd
5. Professor Dr. Habibah Binti A Wahab, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Universiti Sains Malaysia
6. Professor Ir. Dr. Siti Noor Linda Taib, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
7. Professor Dr. Mohammad Saffree Bin Jeffree, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Strategic), Universiti Malaysia Sabah
8. Professor Ts. Dr. Aida binti Mustapha, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
9. Professor Dr. Goh Choo Ta, Director, LESTARI, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
10. Professor Dr. Norhayati Ahmad, Expert in Biology, Head of Geopark Research Centre, and Head of the Biological Diversity Heritage Research Programme of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
11. Professor Mohd Said Bani CM Din, Founder and Managing Director of bzBee Consult
12. Ms. Ong Ping Ping, Director of Communications, YTL Cement
13. Ms. Nagarani a/p Peramal @ Perumal, Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi
During the meeting, the committee endorsed key outcomes from the Scientific Committee's deliberations and approved the UIRC Scholarship Guidelines. The committee reviewed and ratified the scholarship candidates selected by subject matter
experts, ensuring support for the brightest minds in their research endeavours. The approved candidates include one PhD candidate in Biology, two Master's students in Biology, and one Master's student in Geology.
The committee also approved the implementation of the second initiative under UIRC – the Industrial Young Researcher Grant. This grant, now open for applications, is aimed at young lecturers to encourage a culture of research and innovation. Applications for this grant are open from June 2024.
For more information, visit uirc.my
