STUDENTS ARE URGED TO BE INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

PENANG, June 2, 2012 - Students are urged to be more involved in the research- and innovation-oriented activities as it is in line with the aspirations of the university and the nation in producing more world-class young researchers.

Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, said that the involvement of students in the research and innovation are vital to a university, especially to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as a Research University with APEX status.

"Students should not limit the research and innovation activities in science and technology only but must look at how to apply innovation in the fields of literature and art as well.

"On top of that, early exposure to research and innovation can prepare them to face the demands of the real career world that requires them to be innovative," said Saifuddin while officiating the pre-launching of the Novel Research and Innovation Competition 2012 (NRIC 2012) at USM here today.

The NRIC 2012, a programme which was completely handled by the students consists of NRIC Secretariat in collaboration with the USM Student Representative Council (MPPUSM) which is expected to take place on 17-19 July 2012 in USM.

With the theme of "World-Class Research and Innovation for Tomorrow’s Sustainability," the organiser of this programme hopes that the contested final year research products will be of the world-class standard through the participation of the undergraduate from public and private universities from within and outside the country.

A total of seven categories were contested namely Life Sciences, Health & Medical Sciences, Fundamental Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Information & Communication Technology, Social Transformation and Creative Arts and a special category " Community Research and Innovation  Competition."

This programme also received the sponsorship from Motorola Solutions in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.

Among those who present in the pre-launching ceremony were the USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Omar Osman, the Director of NRIC 2012, Mohamad Noor Affenddy Misman and the President of MPP, Muhammad Idzuan Jamalludin.

Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah also took the opportunity to hold a dialogue and acquaintance session with the members of the USM Students’ Consultative Assembly (DPP).