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Malaysian Invention aNd Design Society MINDS Newsletter

July 2016 (PP 18717/03/2015(034152) (Free distribution to members only)

The Asian Caucus of Invention Associations, or ACIA in short, was established on 24 April 2009 under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, ACIA is a federation of societies and organisations located in the Asian region that are related to design, invention, innovation and technology. ACIA was founded by Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine Ong and Mr Myocho Kan, the President and Honorary Secretary, respectively, of MINDS. Founding member countries include Arab Saudi, India, Korea, Taiwan ROC and Malaysia. Today, apart from the founding members, the Associate members are the Chinese Innovation and Invention Society (Taiwan), University of South Taiwan (Taiwan), Korea Invention News (Korea). Individual Members of ACIA are Dr Lee Tong Wai (USA), Pooria Khani Amin Abadi (Iran), Andi Dwi Putra (Indonesia) and Lau Sai Chong (Hong Kong). We also have 30 Affiliated members and they are from Qatar, Poland, Vietnam, Romania, Macau, the Philippines, China, Thailand, Germany and Russia. The objectives of ACIA are advising and guiding budding inventors; promoting and advancing knowledge through education, training and conferences; encouraging creative thinking and the spirit of inventing; promoting the utilization and commercialisation of inventions; and promoting enhancing the awareness and appreciation of intellectual property. In an effort to achieve the objects of ACIA, various events and activities were organised. These include forum and dialogues, road-shows, conferences, training programmes, exhibitions, publications and others. MINDS hopes to use ACIA to change the mindset of its member countries from being imitators to inventors changing the Asian innovation landscape.

Patrons: YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad YBhg Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding MINDS Executive Committee (2014-2016) Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine S H Ong – President Datuk Choo Yuen May – Vice President Mr Myocho Kan – Honorary Secretary Ms Christine Ong – Honorary Treasurer Committee Members Dr Loo Koi Sang Mr Tan Kim Seng Dato’ Dr Cheah Cheng Huat Major Munusamy Mr Robest Yong Executive Secretary – Ms Kendra Lam Editor – Ms Chrys Tee Malaysian Invention & Design Society C3A-10, 4th Floor Block C Damansara Intan 1 Jalan SS20/27 47400 PJ Tel: 03-71182062 HP: 012-9032312 Email: minds.invent@gmail.com Website: www.minds.com.my Percetakan Soon Lee Heng Sdn Bhd 15 Jalan Besar, Selayang Baru 68100 Batu Caves Selangor

An innovative human capital is the key to a world class economy. Innovation human capital is built on the foundation of critical skills, knowledge and competencies.

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THE 36TH BEIJING YOUTH SCIENCE CREATION COMPETITION, 2016 Beijing, China 27-29 March 2016 At the invitation of the Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST), MINDS sent the winning team of MYIE 2015 to take part in the 36th Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition 2016 (BYSCC) in Beijing, China. Three students and a teacher from the SM Sains, Miri, together with Major Munusamy, a MINDS Exco member left for Beijing on 24 March 2016.

The team competed with their invention “AltSweet”, which is not a calorie-free sweetener. It has calories like any carbohydrate, but due to its relatively low glycaemic index, its calories are absorbed into the bloodstream at a significantly slower rate than regular refined sugar. AltSweet is a 100% organic. It is also minimally processed, unfiltered, and unbleached natural sweetener. In addition, it contains no preservatives. It is with this product that the team came back victorious with the first prize. It is not all work and no play for the participants, as BAST arranged for them to visit the Great Wall of China. For many of them it was indeed a memorable experience to be able to see one of the 7 wonders of the world.

MINDS has been playing an instrumental role in sending our Malaysian students (winners of MYIE) to compete in the various overseas competition yearly. These opportunities help to expose our students to the international competition standards. We are indeed proud of SM Sains, Miri, on their achievement and hope that they will continue to be inventive and come out with more products.

Our students sharing the stage with other international Kartika and Nurul explaining the “Altsweet’ to visitors

students who competed at BYSCC

(L-R) Nurul Atiqah, Kartika Zalia & Raziq showing off their gold medals

Kartika, Raziq, Nurul, Teacher Pn Norsyam andMINDS Exco Major Munusamy

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MINDS 29th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING PERDANA ROOM, LAKE CLUB 16 April 2016 The MINDS 29th Annual General Meeting was well attended with 46 members attending the AGM. Reports from the various chapters were given by their Chapter Chairmen, this was followed by a talk entitled “Turning Ideas Into Money” by Ms Biruntha Mooruthi, who is the Vice President, Commercialisation Specialist and also the HIP 2 Programme Manager & Head of IP Services. In her talk, Ms Biruntha said that most great ideas remain dormant because people don’t have the courage, resources, time and/or money to take action. And for those who take action, most are unprepared and thus find themselves spending their valuable time and money on a dream that simply goes astray. Converting an idea into a reality (regardless of the required investment of time and money) is never an easy task. In fact, it is extremely difficult. PlaTCOM Ventures, the national IP commercialisation platform guides and nurtures entrepreneurs and SMEs to realise their ideas into commercialised products under the High Impact Programme 2 (HIP2). The High Impact Programme 2 is aimed at assisting local SMEs to fill the gap in the funding landscape and accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative, market driven products/ solutions/services as well as increasing the creation of IPR for commercialisation.

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Seated L-R: Mr Tan, Dr Loo, Tan Sri Ong, Datuk Choo and Myocho

Back row: Major Munu, Christine, Robest (Not in the picture: Dato’ Dr Cheah)

Election year new line of Executive Committee 2016-2018 President Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine Ong Soon Hock Vice President Datuk Choo Yuen May Hon. Secretary Mr Myocho Kan Hon. Treasurer Ms Christine Ong Committee Members Dr Loo Koi Sang Mr Tan Kim Seng Major Munusamy A/L Arigovindan Dato’Dr Cheah Cheng Huat Mr Robest Yong Han Aun Hon. Auditor Dr Leo Ann Mean Dr Yip Chi Kiong ARTS & CREATIVITY EXHIBITION Sunway University Workshop - 24 April 2016 Exhibition - 9-10 September 2016 Two workshops (creative writing and illustration) were organised by MINDS for the teachers/lecturers of primary, secondary and tertiary levels on 24 April. The objective of this workshop is to equip their students to compete in the competition/exhibition which will be held on 9-10 September 2016. This year’s theme for the ACE is “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever”. This phrase is taken from John Keats's poem, “Endymion”. Students are required to write an essay on any of the flora and fauna of Malaysia e.g. the rafflesia, orang utan, etc.

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Andrea Tee interacting with participants during her workshop

Yeoh Kean Thai of Sunway U talking about the different types of Media which can be used for illustration

Participants busy working on their project

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BAST-MINDS MEETING 12 May 2016 KLCC The Beijing Association for Science and Technology (BAST) was established in 1963 is a mass organisation for the scientific and technological staff in Beijing area. It plays the role of bridge and link in connecting the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality with the massive scientific and technological staff. It is also the importance force which pushes forward the development of the science and technology cause.

The Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition (BYSCC) is a Science Fair organised by BAST and is held every year in Beijing since 1981. BYSCC is a comprehensive science and technology competition for youth from all over the world. MINDS have been invited to participate in the BYSCC every year and we have been sending our MYIE winners to compete with other participants there (see our report on the 36th BYSCC on page 2).

On 12 May 2016, at the invitation of MINDS, 4 representatives of BAST, Mr Zhang Hongho, Director, Director, Beijing Service Centre for Science & Technology Societies, together with his colleagues, Ms Yao Yiluan, Ms Lu Lin and Ms Zhao Lanlan met and had a fruitful time of discussion and exchange of views on possible cooperation on the promotion of science and technology education among our youths. MINDS was also invited to take part in the 6th Beijing Science Festival on September 2016 whereby there will also be a roundtable forum. We were also invited to attend the 5th College Student Science and Technology Innovation Workshop and Patent Achievement Exhibition and Promotion which will be held in December 2016. MINDS promised that it will continue to support BYSCC and invited BAST to participate in ITEX 2017.

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27th INTERNATIONAL INVENTION & INNOVATION EXHIBITION (ITEX) 2016 Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre 12-14 May 2016

The biggest names in the global innovative scene were present at MINDS annually staged International Invention and Innovation Exhibition (ITEX 2016) from 12-14 May 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

(L-R) Dato' Vincent Lim, Tan Sri Ong, YB Datuk Seri Madius receiving the IFIA Memorial Award from Mr Alireza Rastegar,

President of IFIA and Tan Sri Omar

Running its 27th year, it featured a groundbreaking 1000 number of inventions with 22 countries (China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, Malaysia and others) taking part in this flagship event of MINDS. The exhibition was officiated by Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation – Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau here today.

“This wide array of inventions being displayed and

thinkers’ presence further cements ITEX's position as

one of the world's leading invention exhibition.” - YB

Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau

“ITEX 2016 comes with a quest to transform our

nation to a truly innovative and progressive society.” - Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Dr Augustine

Ong Soon Hock

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Most of the inventions showcased are products and innovations developed by inventors and researchers by Malaysian universities and research institutes, overseas, budding inventors from primary and secondary schools and also corporate inventors. ITEX sees an encouraging increase in visitors of 5% annually.

AT ITEX, any idea that challenges the well-established notions of traditional primary and secondary education systems are welcomed and embraced. ITEX for many years has supported initiatives that instil problem-solving and collaboration skills through modern technology and communication.

Those ambitions have long been realised via the concurrent exhibition of ITEX -

Malaysian Young Inventors Exhibition (MYIE). Open to Malaysian Primary Schools

and Secondary Schools, this year, the creativity of MYIE contestants was being tested when

the theme “Invention for Society” was picked. The theme is apt for today’s society, one which

constantly makes space for brave new ideas to build a better tomorrow. Targeting the elderly

and those with special needs, the objective of the theme is to inculcate critical and viable

thinking skills for sustainable living habits for the less fortunate.

MYIE Best Invention for Primary School – SJK Thai Kwang, Sibu – “MULTIPURPOSE TROLLEY”

The group of young people who played an important role during ITEX

MYIE Best Invention for Secondary School – SMK Tanjung Datuk Pengerang, Johor – “FWF-EM

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MINDS VISIONARY AWARDS (MVA) For the first time, the MVA is presented to outstanding individuals who have been passionate about inventions and have championed the inventive culture in their organisations. Their encouragement and support has contributed greatly to the increasing number of inventions in their communities. The following were honoured with the inaugural MVA:

1) YBhg Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May, Director General of Malaysian Palm Oil Board 2) YBhg Brig Gen Dato’ Prof Emeritus Dr Kamarudin Bin Husin – Malaysia

Research and Innovation Society (MyRIS) 3) Mr Hsieh Hsin Ming – Taiwan Invention and Products Promotion Association

Datuk Choo Dato’ Kamarudin Mr Hsieh Hsin Min Mr Ken Foo

ITEX ENTREPRENEUR AWARD Another award that was given for the first time is the ITEX Entrepreneur Award and this was presented to Mr Ken Foo of SEERS International, who has exhibited in previous ITEX and has since successfully commercialised his invention. Ken has marketed his invention which is an innovative water heating system and has successfully implemented his invention in a number of buildings.

This year’s Asia Invention Excellence Award (Top Invention in ITEX 2016) was awarded to Professor Dr Ku Halim Ku Hamid of Universiti Teknologi MARA with his invention “Non Catalytic Reaction in Methyl Ester Production from Crude Palm Oil”. This was developed in order to simplify the esterification process and aspire for high conversion of feedstock as well as to avoid formation of by-products. The continuous esterification technology was established by using high frequency and rapid mixing process to replace catalytic reaction and the conversion rate found to be

comparatively higher. This patent pending technology would reduce operation units in biodiesel production plant and able to accommodate a variety of oils. The process significantly reduces the operating cost and would attract related industrial communities. It is expected that the process would create a new scenario of bio-diesel production from low grade crude palm oil as well as another type of oils and fats. Our heartiest congratulations to Prof Dr Ku Halim of Universiti Teknologi MARA!

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The International Conference on Invention & Design (ICID) 2016 13-14 May 2016 In ITEX 2016, MINDS in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis(UniMAP) initiated the

International Conference on Invention & Design (ICID) to promote the sharing of knowledge

and experience, engagement and collaboration among educators, researchers and

practitioners in innovation. This conference is under the sponsorship from Sime Darby

Plantation Sdn Bhd, UCSI University and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM).

The conference started with a welcoming address from Tan Sri Emeritus Prof. Datuk Dr.

Augustine Ong and opening address from Brig. Gen Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin

Hussin. This conference recognized the contribution of theoretical and conceptual aspect of

invention and design. The four eminent keynote speakers were Academician Emeritus

Professor Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman, Dato' Dr Ar. Kenneth Yeang, Professor Dr Harith

Ahmad and Associate Professor Dr Yen Ching Chiuan.

Participants from Australia, India, Thailand and Malaysia for paper and poster presentations,

the participating institutions were from UniMAP, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Univerisiti

Teknologi MARA, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, SJKC Lee Min,

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains, Monash University,

Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, Khon Kaen University, Universiti Malaya and Indian

Institute of Packaging.

Tan Sri Omar Abd Rahman

Assoc Prof Yen Dato’ Ar Ken Yeang Prof Dr Harith

We started ITEX with only 50 inventions, now we have 1000. I believe this will grow and catch up.

It is my hope that such collaboration continues and become a trendsetter for more of such collaboration.

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SEBERANG PERAI CHAPTER Seminar Cum Workshop 29 May 2016

After the inception of the MINDS Seberang Perai Chapter on 31 January 2016, they organised their first seminar cum workshop on 29 May 2016. The event was held at the SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth from 9.00am to 4.30pm. The seminar/workshop was well attended with 220 students accompanied by 38 teachers. Mr Myocho Kan, the newly elected Honorary Secretary of MINDS represented MINDS President, Tan Sri Ong in giving the opening address and the event was officiated by Penang State Education Department Deputy Director, Mr Yeoh Kok Kheng. Mr Yeoh was duly impressed by the vast number that turned up despite it being a Sunday.

The theme of the workshop was “IDEA DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS INVENTION/INNOVATION” and the speaker for the talk was Dr Loo Koi Sang. Dr Loo, with his vast experience behind him talked about the pathways of invention, innovation process, benefits of invention/innovation and initiating unique, simple and easy inventions ideas.

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A workshop was conducted in the afternoon. Participants from different schools were grouped together to encourage interaction among the students and they had the opportunity to exchange their ideas. As a result, many inventive and innovative ideas were produced during the workshop. Dr Loo was very amazed by the ideas of the participants. He pointed out that many ideas have the potential to be commercialized.

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MINDS’ PATENT DRAFTING WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS 27 July 2016 In today’s knowledge economy only innovative businesses survive in the long run. Hence, an innovative business strategy backed by registered intellectual property assets are the key to successful businesses. However, mere registration of IP is not sufficient, one has to ensure that the product or service offered is adequately protected by the IP. MINDS is organising a 1-day workshop which will give the necessary insights to help you identify the key pointers in deciding which aspects of your technology are patentable. Whether you engage an agent or draft and file the patent specification yourself, this workshop will reflect on the common objections raised during examination on how to encounter them at the initial patent drafting stage. This will help you know how to check your specifications before registration with the patent office. The session will also introduce you to the basics of patent drafting in a DIY style and how to file the patent applications yourself. The speaker will also address common myths such as a patent is granted as soon as it is registered, PCT grants an international application and many more of such misleading information clouding minds of the inventors. Topics covered at the workshop are as follows:

1) Introduction to Patents 2) What is considered patentable subject matter 3) Types of IP generated during R&D process 4) Introduction to patent specification 5) Do’s and Don’ts for Patent drafting’ 6) Introduction to drafting patent claims 7) Types of claims 8) Practical exercise on claim drafting

VENUE

THOTBOX TRAINING CENTRE Unit 212, 2nd Floor, Lift Lobby 3, Block A, Damansara Intan, No 1, Jalan SS 20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

FEES RM350 (member) RM450 (non-member)

COURSE TRAINERS

Platcom Ventures IP division:

Biruntha Mooruthi – Vice President, Commercialisation Specialist, Head of IP Division, Registered Patent, Trademark, Industrial Design Agent Elina Maszura – Intellectual Property Manager

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Inventors Researchers Students Project Managers Anyone who wants to know how to draft a basic patent

MAXIMUM ATTENDEE

20 pax

CONTACT Please contact Kendra at 03-71182062 for registration

Ms Biruntha Mooruthi

Ms Elina Mazura Isa

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FAST TRACK TO COMMERCIALISATION WORKSHOP A workshop to discover the One Million Dollar Business potential in your innovation 3 August 2016 (9am – 5pm) Genovasi Malaysia Space Petaling Jaya

“3 in 1” workshop specially designed for researchers, inventors, scientists,

engineers, designers and award-winning innovators in a hurry to commercialise their innovations and ideas. Get the value of THREE Innovation Space™ DISCOVER workshops in ONE day.

Discover the uniqueness and technical feasibility of your innovation

Discover the market opportunity for your innovation and its value

Discover the profit potential in your innovation and attract Venture

Capital. Learn new visual tools and methodology from practice that you won’t learn from Business School. Action Learning™ through team based

practicals to accelerate your discovery of a clear roadmap that will bring your innovation to commercial success!

Workshop led by Prof. Stephen Ong, BSc(Hons) Econs (LSE),MBA(Bradford),MBI(UCL), with over 20 years experience in banking and venture capital in the UK, ASEAN, China, Japan and USA. He has invested in technology innovations from startup to IPO, covering IT, internet, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology and renewable energy. He was principal policy researcher for the formulation of Malaysia’s National Innovation Strategy(UNIK). He is the author of the Innovation Space™ methodology to evaluate the commercialization potential of innovation projects, which is presently used for TechnoFund/InnoFund project assessment by MOSTI. He is an expert member on the Commercialisation Grant Panel, Putra Science Park, UPM, and was commercialization advisor to Tsukuba University Japan. In academia, he is Visiting Fellow in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University, and was also appointed at Sydney Business School, Australia and Lancaster University Management School, Birmingham City Business School and Edinburgh Napier University in the UK. He is also Visiting Professor in International Business at Shenzhen University, PRC. Assisted by Mr.Wong Hee Kum, BSc(Hons), MSc(NZ), a consultant on technology transfer and licensing for agro-based industry ventures.

Please contact Kendra @ 03-71182062 for further enquiries

*limited to first 30 registrations

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MOSTA SCIENTIFIC WRITING WORKSHOP

By popular demand MOSTA Scientific Writing Workshop is back again on WEDNESDAY,

3 AUGUST 2016 at High Impact Research Building, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

covering the following topics:-

General introduction, including reasons to write or communicate, pre-submission

enquiries, “do and don’t”

Effective Scientific Writing

Title, Authorship, Abstracts & Keywords

Materials & Methods, including Statistics

Illustrations & Equations

Results, Discussion & Conclusion

Acknowledgements/Appendix/References/Referees

Submission, Response to referees’ comments

How to promote/increase your citation count

Who should attend?

Scientists/Researchers/Lab Manager

Quality Control & Quality Assurance Personnel

Research & Development Personnel

Lecturers, Postgraduates & Project Students

Registration Fee Before 30/6/16 After 30/6/16 MOSTA member & Staff of UM RM200.00 RM250.00 Non-member RM250.00 RM300.00

Contact Details MOSTA Secretariat C-3A-10, 4th Floor, Block C Damansara Intan 47400 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Contact Persons : Ms Michelle Lim / Ms Penny Pang

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The Science for Healthy Living Society (S4H) focuses on improving

the health of the community at the front end of the health spectrum: the objective is to keep people healthy by evaluating the different health issues based on scientific findings.

The S4H is set up under MOSTA’s Rayson Huang Foundation, and it reflects the forward thinking needed to effect change in people and communities to “Don’t just add years to your life, but to add life to your years”. For the first time the S4H Society is having a talk entitled “Can Lifestyle be

Engineered?” The title may immediately conjure up in the minds of the reader that the topic of

discussion would be directed towards the currently emerging and fashionable potential for the use of genetic and molecular tools to change or modify the individual’s make-up and capabilities. Whilst that possibility does enticingly exist in the perhaps not too distant future, the talk will instead focus on the use of simple methods we already know and practise to ensure that we can extend our “shelf life” and “use by date” not simply in quantity but quality as well. Components leading to this objective will include issues like diet and weight control, the right kind and type of physical activity, avoidance of risk factors and preventive health checks. The principles that guide these parameters are indeed quite well known but there is a gap between this knowledge and its application, which some people call the “knowledge paradox” efforts to narrow or even remove this gap will depend not just on individuals but in society as a whole which will be illustrated using the “three concentric circles” model of self, the minders and societal determinants. The lecture will allude to the different roles to be played within these circles and the measures that may be needed to ensure the much needed behavioral changes if the desired outcomes are to be achieved.

The speaker for the above talk is none other than Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Jegathesan Manikavasagam, a Senior Fellow Academy of Sciences, Pro-Chancellor of USM. In his medical career he served the government health service for 32 years including the posts of Director of the Institute for Medical Research and the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, (Research and Technical Support) in charge of the Research Program, Health Services Development Program. Tan Sri Jegathesan has been involved for many years as a speaker and motivator in the area of exercise and its benefits as part of the Ministry of Health’s Healthy Lifestyle Campaign and the Ministry of Youth and Sports “Active Malaysia” Campaign. This included making numerous presentations to government agencies, professional groups, and the public at large.

The talk will be preceded by a dinner, of which the menu is carefully put together to reflect a healthy but satisfying meal.

The Science for Health Society presents the following:

Talk: CAN LIFESTYLE BE ENGINEERED? Speaker: Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Dr M Jegathesan Date: 4 August 2016 Time: 7pm-10pm Venue: Perdana Room 2, Lake Club Programme: 7.00-8.30pm Dinner 8.30-9.30pm Talk (coffee & tea will be served) 9.30pm-10pm Q&A Cost per pax: RM30.00 (inclusive of dinner) Please call 03-71182082 (Chrys) for further information or to book yourself a seat for the above talk.

Let’s live Longer, Stronger and Smarter!

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Best Practices in Research Management Workshops 17 – 18 August 2016 Highlights: 17 August 2016 Sharing by experienced researchers in their respective field and an afternoon visit to the state of the art University Malaya High Impact Research Central Lab facilities. 18 August 2016 Parallel sessions to deliberate on issues, problems and challenges in research management in Biomedical, Technology and Engineering. Keynote addresses by:

1. Research Management in Engineering - Prof Dr Ir Ramesh Singh

2. Research Management in Bio Medical Sciences

- YBhg Prof Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Yusoff

3. Research Management in Mission Oriented - YBhg Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May

4. Research Management in Technology

- Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Osman

5. Research Management in Industry - Ms Lee Miew Sim

Who Should Attend: Research Co-ordinators/Supervisors, Academics, Post-graduate Students, and Research Officers Registration Fees: RM800 (MINDS members) RM1000 (non-MINDS members) Fee covers course materials, certificate of attendance, meals and coffee break. Payment is required for confirmation of registration. For further enquiries please contact the following: Ms Mary of MINDS Secretariat Tel: 603-71182062 Fax: 603-71182063 Email: minds.secretariat@gmail.com

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HEADS OF ISF DELEGATION ATTENDING OFIC 2016 Mr Yoon Suk Hoo , Korean Society of Food Science & Technology – Korea Food Research Inst Mr Jeffry L Newman, Senior Director, Programmes (AOCS) – AOCS Mr Pierre Villeneuve, President, Euro Fed Lipid – Society Francaise pour L’etude Mr Andres Rumayor, ACOS LATAM Mr Derrick Rousseau, Canadian Section, AOCS Dr Frank Amoneit, Euro Fed Lipid – Frankfurt, Main Dr Rodney Mailer, Research Fellow/Adjunct Professor, Australian Oils Research Dr Hany El Nazer, Consultant of Dermatology and Former President of National Research Centre – Egypt Prof Yang Yuexin, Chinese Nutrition Society, China Mr S K Roy, Oil Technologists’ Association of India, India

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In July 2011, the brainchild of taking a MINDS delegation to Silicon Valley, by MINDS President, Tan Sri Ong, was realised when he led a group of 7 to San Francisco, California, to visit the technology hub of the United States – Silicon Valley. We are glad to report that out of that visit we have a success story to tell.

Journey from Academic to Entrepreneurship Sharing by, Roman Yiap Director TerraJu Life Sciences (Roman@Terra-Ju.com)

Being trained as a research scientist, I have served the academia for a decade post-doctorate. My training has never been closed to any form of entrepreneurial exposure. Although being very much into product development for commercialization but becoming an entrepreneur would have been the wildest dream an enthusiastic scientist could harbor. The turning point came about when MINDS’s president, Tan Sri Ong, offered a rare opportunity to join an excursion to Silicon Valley, CA. in the States. The purpose of the visit was to observe and learn the best practices in entrepreneurship. The program was well planned by none other than our California Chapter’s founding chairman, Dr Liang Yit Min. Being the first real world exposure, a lots of “Wow” and “Ah” moments but it has seeded a spark that would have started the flame of enthusiasm later on. The value of the trip was exposure to various people from various background and experience level. Short and sweet intense exchange of knowledge and experience sharing sessions were the ways the events took place during the whole trip. The most unforgettable experience was the visit to “D School” in Stanford U. There we learned that even the sky is not the limit when it comes to creativity and innovativeness. Anything is just possible, human will dictate the success or otherwise. My interest in entrepreneurship grew with time as I started to attend courses and talked to seasoned entrepreneurs. A few months post US trip, I was offered the golden opportunity to start a new business unit within my previous company. Although it was not a real start-up per se but intrapreneurship was the best chance for me to apply what I have acquired so far. Although it was not easy but I would not say it was very difficult either as compared to a real start-up. Lots of support were made available to increase the chances of success and most importantly, there were “higher ups” to fall back onto when things turned ugly. I would say the exposures so far have prepared me well to face the challenges. After four fruitful years of gaining real life experience as an intrapreneur, the time to finally take the leap of faith has matured. Taking over a biotechnology company providing an All-in-One solution for DNA, RNA and protein extraction during a possible economy downturn has puzzled many. However, being the only local solution provider proved to be very attractive to our clients when all other imported alternatives are straining their funding or bottom-line. We are helping our clients to cut their research cost by at least 80% and saving time up to 70%. As research funding are shrinking while cost are escalating, we are standing out as an excellence choice for cost effectiveness and efficiency. Things look very promising even in this very gloomy economic outfit. The road ahead might be bumpy and may not be a bed of roses, however these are what entrepreneurs are made to face on a daily basis. At least this was what we have learned during our rare trip to get a grip on the best practices in starting up a business. My heartfelt gratitude to Tan Sri Ong for his vision and ideas to have MINDS organizing such valuable learning opportunity for its members. Let’s hope that more will benefit from such hard to come by event in the future.

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MINDS BOOK REVIEW

No. 8 Re-wired – 202 New Zealand Inventions That Changed the World Authored by Jon Bridges and David Downs Published by Penguin Books Reviewed by Dr Leo Ann Mean No. 8 Wire refers to the legendary old steel wire that was most

popular for fencing and became ubiquitous in New Zealand.

Besides fencing the No.8 wire was put to millions of uses - to tie,

bind, modify and fashion things. It was also used in the initial

prototypes of many New Zealand inventions. No. 8 Wire is the

icon for invention for New Zealanders.

This book is a compendium of colouful stories of 202 home-grown inventions and the

inventors who dreamt them up. It is a celebration of the No.8 Wire spirit on which New

Zealand is built claims the authors. They proudly quoted that if necessity is the mother of

invention then Kiwi ingenuity is its father.

In this book published in 2014, the authors presented the story behind New Zealand

inventions that impacted the world, including the well known discovery of DNA and human

flight to lesser known inventions like instant coffee, spreadable butter and the referee's

whistle. Included in this work are accounts of well known personalities like Lord Rutherford

who split the atom to lesser known individuals like Sir John Patrick Walsh who invented the

high speed dental drill and Alan John Hackett who invented bungy jumping. New Zealanders

also pioneered the electronic petrol pump, electric fence, seismic isolators and wireless

charging. The pavlova is of course Kiwi in origin. All in, the book tells the absorbing story

behind 202 discoveries and inventions.

The authors proudly pay tribute to their fellow Kiwis whose inventions have changed the world.

Their message is heard loud and clear. New Zealanders have made an impressive

contribution to the world of invention.

Jon Bridges is a writer, television presenter and producer and a public speaker while David

Downs had worked as an actor, in the IT industry and in a government agency.

Spife - an example of a Kiwi invention

The spife is a combination spoon and knife. It is used to cut and then scoop kiwifruit to enjoy

its inner deliciousness.

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We are pleased to welcome the following members Join us as a MINDS member and be part of the into the MINDS family: Inventive and Creative community. Call or email

us at:

M’ship No. Name of MINDSter 2132 PlaTCOM Ventures Sdn Bhd Telephone: 603-71182062 2133 Foo Eng Guan, Francis 2134 Dr Nurul Fadly Habidin Email: minds.secretariat@gmail.com 2135 Chung Sze Meang 2136 Dr Norhafizah Abdullah 2137 Dr Shahrul Azam Abbdullah 2138 Yung Chee Liang 2139 Dr Lau Chee 2140 Tiang Sew Sun 2141 Kuan Lee Choo 2142 Amirul Abd Rashid 2143 Dr Sivarao Subramonian 2144 Ken Foo Kwok Hsing 2145 MOSTA 2146 Liew Seng Choy MINDStoon by Dr Sarina Sulaiman