ITEX 2016: Former UniMAP Vice Chancellor Recognised
Kuala Lumpur, 14 May – Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) former Vice Chancellor Brig. General Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin Hussin became the inaugural recipient of the Malaysian Inventions and Design Society (MINDS) Visionary Award in the Institute of Higher Education (IPT) category during the Malam Budaya Cipta at the 27th International Innovation Exhibition 2016 (ITEX '16) which was held at Hotel Mandarin Oriental last night.
He was selected for his high commitment, solid cooperation, and undivided support and effort in upholding research in Malaysia through leadership during his tenure as UniMAP Vice Chancellor.
MINDS Founder and President Tan Sri Emeritus Prof. Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong Soon Hock said the award is bestowed to individuals who contribute to society through their leadership.
“This inaugural award was introduced in ITEX 2016 and is conferred to the person who grants his undivided support to the field of science and technology for the betterment of society,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Kamarudin who now serves as the Advisor to the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education (KPTM) considers the award a moving gesture and vows to be more active in promoting research in Malaysia.
“Although I no longer serve as Vice Chancellor, I promise to continue my efforts to promote research in Malaysia not just in higher education but also at the grass-roots,” he said.
He also declared that the ministry has various programmes being planned in the higher education sector to realise the government's desire for Malaysia to be a developed nation, which will soon be achieved.
“A developed nation has a number of traits, among them the mastery of knowledge and technology. Therefore, mastering education and the advancement of research must move in tandem and not taken lightly for us to succeed as a developed country,” he said.
Previously, to honour Datuk Kamarudin's deeds and contributions, ITEX 2016 organiser MINDS offered him an exhibition space to display his achievements in conjunction with ITEX during his tenure as UniMAP Vice Chancellor to be shared with ITEX 2016 visitors.
ITEX '16 showed off over 1000 researches from various research universities, research centres local and foreign, primary and secondary schools, and private corporations from 22 countries that include China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States of America, Vietnam, Malaysia and many other countries.
The Malaysian Young Inventors Exhibition (MYIE) was also held during the event as a platform for 152 young researchers of the country to exhibit their research findings. These young researchers would have the opportunity to compete with foreign young researchers in the upcoming Asian Young Inventors Exhibition (AYIE).
ITEX '16 was open for the public from 9AM to 6PM (12 -13 May 2016) and from 9AM to 2PM (14 May 2016).
