SCCyberworld

Friday, May 9, 2008

Showcase of Award Winning Inventions Ready for Commercialisation

YB Dr. Hou Kok Chung (Deputy Minister of Higher Education) (Middle) looking at one of the exhibits at ITEX 08

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 May, 2008 – The International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition 2008 (ITEX 08), organised by Malaysian Invention & Design Society (MINDS), was launched today at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Held for the first time in 1989, it serves as an important platform for universities, research institutions, individual inventors and corporate companies to showcase their inventions, new technologies and products. Currently running its 19th series demonstrates ITEX’s importance and success as an annual event.

This annual exhibition serves as a one-stop marketplace for investors from the SMIs, SMEs and venture capitalists to meet other inventors with a view of securing investment, manufacturing and commercialisation opportunities. This year’s event saw a 15% increase since last year to more than 500 inventions covering more than 24 industries showcased at this three day exhibition.

The opening event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dr Hou Kok Chung. He was joined by the President of MINDS, Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Augustine S H Ong; Vice President of MINDS, Dr Leo Ann Mean; President of Polish Inventors’ Association and also representative of the International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA), Adam Rylski; and Director-General of Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), Kamel Mohamed.

According to Academician, Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Augustine, “A survey conducted at last year’s ITEX revealed that 37% of visitors were venture capitalists, investors, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. A total of 23% of the visitors were at ITEX to source for new inventions for investment purposes. This is an excellent opportunity to maximise exposure of their inventions and technologies to Malaysian investors and to the world audience; showcase enhanced marketability to a new market and for international recognition.”

“ITEX gives us the ability to source and solve our problems rather than to turn to outsiders for solutions. ITEX aims to expose and globalise inventors along with their inventions internationally giving them the opportunity to introduce their creations overseas,” added Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Augustine.

Dr Hou Kok Chung said,” Research and development from different fields are necessary for innovation in order to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy. Through ITEX 08 and its concurrent activities, I am sure that the local and foreign participating universities/individuals with their inventions will offer positive changes for the benefit of mankind. I am also glad to know that each year, the inventions by these universities have won local and international awards at ITEX. These accolades add value to the inventions, and also provide a breakthrough for commercialisation opportunities.”

Speaking on the National Higher Education Strategic Plan that was launched by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), he said that the third of the seven strategic thrusts outlined in the Plan is enhancing research and innovation. “To progress rapidly towards k-economy and innovation, a collaborative networking among HEIs, research institutions, consultation firms and other relevant organisations will be further intensified. This thrust aims to develop and consolidate the research activities and capabilities of HEIs in order to contribute to the National Innovation System. The strategy includes the development of a critical mass of researchers and corpus knowledge to spur Malaysia as a global inventor of technology. In this context, I can see that ITEX is a relevant platform towards helping MoHE achieve the desired objective laid out in this thrust.”

ITEX’s main highlight was the Invention and Design competition that will see some of these inventions winning international and local awards, including the Malaysia Innovative Product Award in recognition of successful product commercialisation. There were also the ITEX Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, Champion of MINDS Award, the prestigious WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) Gold Medal for Best Invention and Gold Medal for Young Inventor, IFIA Cup for Woman Inventor of the Year and also Special Awards from Germany, USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Iran.

The winners will be selected based on the assessment of a Panel of International Judges, comprising of academicians, scientists and leading industrial and corporate figures. The winners of these awards will be announced at a dinner function on the second night of the event.

Expected visitors’ are venture capitalists, investors, manufacturers, industry specifiers, researchers, scientists and technologists, inventors, industrial designers. Exhibitors include Inventors and Researchers, Scientists and Technologists, Tenants of Science Parks, Intellectual Property Support Services, Corporate Sectors, SMIs, SMEs, etc.

Other highlights of the exhibition were:

ITEX Awards and International Awards
Malaysia Innovative Product Award
ITEX Invention & Design Competition
Intellectual Property, Patent & Trademark Services
Malaysia Young Inventors Exhibition 2008 (MYIE 08)
Intellectual Property and Innovation Seminar (IPI08)
Malam Budaya Cipta : A Celebration of Creativity Banquet ( Dinner & Awards Night)

The 24 industries that made up the participants were Aerospace and Aviation, Apparel and Personal Care Products, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Health and Fitness, Building and Construction, Educational, Electricity and Electronics, Environmental and Renewable Energy, Household Products, Industrial Chemicals, Design and Equipment, Infant and Childcare, Special Care, Manufacturing Processes and Materials, Multimedia, Telecommunications and Office Products. Participants were from Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Iran, Croatia, Australia and Italy.

ITEX and its organiser, MINDS, recognises the importance of inventions and innovations and are determined to set a platform for young, fresh and aspiring inventors for their development and growth. Inventors today can rest assure that there is a platform for them to showcase their inventions, innovations and products.

ITEX 08 will run from 9-11 May 2008. Exhibition hours are from 10.00am-6.00pm (9-10 May) and 10.00am-5.00pm (11 May). For further information, please visit itex.com.my.

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