Winners of National IP Award 2009

The winners of national IP Award are

IP Organization: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Patent: Ahmad Fauzi Ismail of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Trademark: Mimos
Industrial Design: Shaharudin Busri of Mimos

Ahmad Fauzi won the award through his research product A Hybrid Mixed Matrix Composite Membrane

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir.Dr. Zaini Ujang said this current success makes UTM the first institution to win the award for the second time since being introduced in 2006.

UTM won the award after being the biggest contributor of intellectual property protection managed by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) last year.

UTM filed a total of 131 products that received patent protection making it the biggest organisation to have product protection under the organisation category.

According to the list released by MyIPO, UTM ranks highest among research institutions, local universities and individuals that received patent failing. Trailing behind UTM is MIMOS Berhad with 110 patent filing, Universiti Putra Malaysia 53, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 23, Telekom Malaysia Berhad 19, Universiti Malaya 18, Multimedia Glory Sdn. Bhd 14, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia 12, Universiti Teknologi Mara 11 and Malaysian Palm Oil Board with 8 patents filed.

Zaini added that last year UTM submitted applications for 142 intellectual properties on various categories comprising 131 patents, 2 utility renewal, 1 industrial design and 8 commercial copyrights.

UTM also received 6 patent grants in 2008 which was filed the previous year.

Overall, until the end of last year, UTM managed to obtain protection for 1,071 products according to the 7 categories, a 70% increase compared to the previous year.

Zaini said the researchers’ success in producing various innovations is in line with UTM’s Key Performance Indicator in achieving the Research University status.

Intellectual Property Management and the commercialization and development of research products in Higher Education Institutions are a relatively new field in this country.

UTM was among the earliest universities to take initiatives by setting up a special committee to manage intellectual property, prepare policies and procedures, thorough work process to enhance research activities thus increasing the number of its intellectual properties.

He also added that UTM focuses on producing intellectual properties and commercializing research and development as these factors are the measurement of UTM’s research achievements. - UTM Today