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Foreword by UTAR Vice President

 

No university in this world can succeed without focusing on research and development (R&D). A university is supposed to be the place that creates new knowledge, disseminates knowledge and applies the knowledge for the benefit of mankind. R&D is vital for this role of a university. In a globalised world today, national boundary has become less significant in terms of flow of information, goods and people. As a country we are in competition with the rest of the world to create more value from human and other resources that we have. Increase in such value cannot come about without R&D. Universities being the frontrunners in R&D in this country have a very important role to play and UTAR is determined to play the role well.
 

Realising the importance of encouraging research activities among its academics, UTAR has, since its establishment as a university in 2002, at the institutional level put in place the necessary framework to encourage research, such as the introduction of the UTAR Research Fund, research policies and guidelines, the UTAR Global Research Network with International Collaborative Partners from universities internationally and locally, the establishment of research centres focusing on several niche areas and the signing of numerous MOUs with local industry partners and renowned international universities to encourage research collaborations. Trainings to improve and enhance research skills and other necessary competencies of UTAR academics are also conducted regularly. A strong research culture has been cultivated and enhanced in UTAR.

UTAR has recently carried out a review on its research, development and commercialisation activities and achievements for the first 10 years of its existence. Although some significant milestones have been achieved, UTAR recognizes that there are many more aspects and areas that should be improved and strengthened. As such, several key milestones have been discussed and included in the UTAR 10-year Strategic Plan (2013 – 2022). Specific measures have also been incorporated to achieve the R&D related goals of the Strategic Plan. Among them are new internal research funding schemes i.e. UTAR Strategic Research Fund, UTAR Research Publication Scheme, UTAR Post-Doctoral Fellowship scheme as well as UTAR Undergraduate Research Scheme.

R&D projects, research funding, collaborations in R&D, University research centres, consultancies and awards represent the research portfolio of a university and it is therefore important for it to be documented. This R&D Annual Report is the University’s attempt to do so in a formal manner and it hope to give a comprehensive picture of R&D in UTAR to our stakeholders including the industry, governmental agencies, international and local partners, current and prospective students and other interested parties.

UTAR will continually strive towards R&D Excellence.

        
Professor Dr Lee Sze Wei
Vice President (R&D and Commercialisation)