Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is developing Laman Ilmu@UKM, an innovation and research hub that will focus on clinical trials and stem cell-based therapies.
The collaborative development project worth RM9.4 million with China’s Tsinghua University and Yangtze Research Institute which is expected to complete in 2025, also incorporates engineering and information technology components as well as elements of entrepreneurship and commercial space.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Laman Ilmu@UKM project, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today welcomed the construction of the centre which takes into account elements of commercialisation and technology transfer as it can increase competitiveness and help ensure the country’s economic growth.
He said it was in line with the MADANI Economy framework announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim which outlines the country’s need to carry out transformation and reform to allow the country to overcome all challenges.
“Congratulations to UKM for being one of the first universities to support the MADANI Economy framework and I hope this effort will be emulated by other IPTs (higher education institutions) in the country,” he said.
The economic framework announced by Anwar on July 27 which aimed at boosting the Malaysian economy, will have revenue spill over to the people to enable them to enjoy a better quality of life.
Mohamed Khaled said it was not an easy task for the Unity Government to present such a huge plan through the MADANI Economy framework involving transformation efforts to ensure that it is relevant to the current developments and drives the growth of the people’s economy.
"The MADANI Economy framework is about transformation, not about continuity… (it is) something stronger because the economy is changing and the challenges faced are also different,” he said, adding that MADANI itself emphasises the practice of values by the people so that they have a strong intellect and spiritual thinking.
Meanwhile, UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said Laman Ilmu@UKM would add value to the efforts to support the green campus agenda which would hopefully open up business and job opportunities for the local community.
“Laman Ilmu is part of the effort to make money so that the university won’t have to continue relying on the government for funding,” he said, adding that UKM managed to generate RM534 million in income in 2022 and is aiming to raise RM610 million this year.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency