Appointment as an implementing agency for key segments in the National 4IR Policy

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB) yesterday celebrated 10 years of revolutionary breakthroughs as the leading agency mandated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to commercialise nanotechnology through a venture builder model.
 
To cap off its 10^th year in leapfrogging nanotechnology-based SMEs towards commercialisation ventures, the company embraces yet another significant role with its position as one of the implementing agencies for key segments of the recently introduced National 4IR Policy, namely Advanced Materials and Technologies, Internet of Nano-Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence.
 
As part of the initiative, two programmes under NanoMalaysia – the REVOLUTIoNT and Hydrogen EcoNanoMy programmes will be launched. REVOLUTIoNT will facilitate and commercialise the production of complex and valuable intellectual property, products and systems solutions while Hydrogen EcoNanoMy will apply NanoMalaysia’s on-site generated Hydrogen technology to create a National Hydrogen Industrial Ecosystem for the energy sector.
 
Officiating the 10^th year anniversary live stream virtual celebration, Deputy Minister of MOSTI, Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad bin Mohamed Hashim congratulated the NMB team and spoke of its impact in the nanotechnology ecosystem: “NMB’s role in the National 4IR Policy is integral in driving Malaysia closer towards the aspirations of the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTIN) 2021 – 2030 in becoming a high-tech nation by 2030. The 4IR, with nanotechnology as one of its primary technological pillars, is forecasted to boost all sectors’ productivity by 30 per cent by 2030 and will contribute to our country’s increase in skilled workers as well as production of higher value-added products.”
 
From 2016 – 2020, NanoMalaysia had 52 product development projects; 41 scale-up projects; and supported and created a mix of 22 joint ventures and start-up companies. It also successfully developed 55 Intellectual Properties (IPs); 25 patents; 17 copyrights; 4 trade secrets; 5 trademarks and 4 utility innovations, which have been filed with MyIPO; and commercialised 166 products. In addition, NanoVerify Sdn Bhd (NVSB), a wholly owned company under NanoMalaysia Berhad certified 118 products via NANOVerify, Malaysia’s first and only nano certification programme with recognition and acceptance from Taiwan Nanotechnology Industry Association (TANIDA).
 
To further expand the reach of Malaysian SMEs in the global technology space, NanoMalaysia recently inked two significant agreements this year with 10000StartupsIndia and Turkey-based Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre (SUNUM) with the objectives of scaling up Malaysian SMEs and facilitating adoption of competitive nanotechnology solutions via technology transfer programmes with Indian and Eastern European SMEs and micro-SMEs. Other partnerships signed in previous years carrying similar aims are with NanoNextNL (The Netherlands), NanoCanada, Nanopolis (China) and Nanotech Center Indonesia.
 
NanoMalaysia Berhad’s Chairman, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohamad Zawawi Bin Ismail recounted some exceptional milestones: “The team behind NanoMalaysia has been instrumental in navigating us through the last decade, resulting in disruptive and revolutionary changes within the SME sectors and industries. Together with industry partners and SMEs, some of our key projects include an electric scooter that can be controlled by a mobile app. The scooter is equipped with NanoSensors that enable remote monitoring and battery health checks, which is a fine example of 4IR and Low Carbon Mobility convergence. We also successfully developed antibacterial garments with nanotech coating for children.”
 
The achievements in the last decade will also be captured in the book, “Greatness from Small Beginnings” produced by The IBR Asia Group – launched in conjunction with NanoMalaysia’s 10^th year anniversary. It documents the Company’s journey since its inception and its achievements in advancing the nanotechnology agenda in the country.
 
As a result of these accomplishments, it is forecasted that 2,373 direct and 11,865 indirect high value job opportunities as well as a contribution of RM3.6 billion direct and RM18 billion indirect potential Gross National Income (GNI) will be generated over the next five years as identified by the industry.
 
Reflecting on the last decade, NanoMalaysia Berhad’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad said: “We have grown from strength to strength, from a small beginning to a formidably forward existence – all made possible due to the valued support and contributions from MOSTI, stakeholders, industry partners, research and consumer groups, and crucially, the NanoMalaysia team possessing both knowledge in nanotechnology and business acumen. We are only as good as our partners and team members.
 
Supporting MOSTI’s High-Tech Nation aspiration, NanoMalaysia is positioning Malaysia as a technology producer of locally developed Renewable Energy solutions and Electric Vehicles’ component technologies by leading the National Energy Storage Technology Initiative; implementing the Hydrogen EcoNanoMY programme; and the development of the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap – underpinned by our flagship Hydrogen-Paired Electric Racecar (HyPER) project showcasing the hybrid on-board hydrogen reactor-fuel cell graphene ultracapacitor-lithium ion energy storage system (H2SS). With these technology-centric initiatives coupled with value and supply chains development, we aim to create at least 10,500 high value jobs directly, with a spill-over effect of 52,500 jobs to stimulate the economy and generate an additional RM 1.7 billion in GNI by 2030.”
 
About NanoMalaysia Berhad
NanoMalaysia Berhad was incorporated in 2011 as a company limited by guarantee (CLBG) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to act as a business entity entrusted with nanotechnology commercialisation and industrialisation activities through a venture builder model. Nanotechnology continues to provide efficient and enhanced solutions to various applications in smart living, smart manufacturing, agriculture, electronic devices, and energy and environment. NanoMalaysia believes that the “Internet of Nano-Things” or IoNT, will be the core driver of the 4th Industrial Revolution, catalysing revolutionary changes in the industry, business and society.

SOURCE: NanoMalaysia Berhad

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--BERNAMA