Azlan Ohtman
Young Brunei inventors were urged to continue producing new inventions that can be commercialised, attracting investors while moving on. They were also urged to not compete for the sake of competition alone.
They were also encouraged to heighten their invention’s protection level in the form of intellectual property (IP) rights to avoid being copied.
The call was made during a panel discussion of foreign and local judges at an executive seminar themed ‘Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals’ held in conjunction with the Crown Prince Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement (CIPTA) Award 2023 as well as Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and virtually via the Zoom platform yesterday.
Professor Ir Ts Dr Sivarao Subramonian of the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka said judges for the innovation award expect for complete solution for prospective investors which can be tested.
He said CIPTA’s flood mitigation project was ready for commercialisation and lauded participants of the project for “going to the field” to conduct the study.
Professor Sivarao also highlighted the need to know about IP to protect their invention and to meet the target. On IP, he said, the university’s Enterprise Office can offer assistance in this regard.
Meanwhile, Professor Ts Dr Wan Zuha Wan Hassan from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia said product protection level is crucial to avoid being duplicated in the market, thus avoiding loss in commercialisation. There is also a need to conduct a marketing study before it is fully commercialised, he said.
On improvements needed for some inventions, Professor Dr Wan Zuha said, “Before we create anything, we need to deal with how to commercialise it as well as engagement for the product to be available in the industry.”
Professor Dr Wan Zuha called on inventors to keep on producing new invention but also to consider novelty and application aspects. He also advised them to continue moving.
Meanwhile, young judge and UTB Student Representative Council president Awangku Md Rafiuddin bin Pengiran Saharuddin said the safety feature of the ‘Mamoru: Accident Prevention Motorcycle Helmet’ is that it measures rider’s drowsiness.
He also stressed on the importance of the project’s fundamental knowledge, chances of winning as well as to boost confidence, adding that inventors should be passionate and enthusiastic.
Meanwhile judge Jurutera OMC Managing Director Ir Chin Lee Tuck said registering an IP is important as an invention can be copied. He urged inventors to consider marketing and their invention’s economic aspects.
CIPTA Technical Committee Co-Chair Pengiran Dr Rafidah binti Pengiran Haji Petra urged inventors to sharpen their skills.
UTB Vice-Chancellor Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman was the guest of honour.
Meanwhile Head of CIPTA Seminar Organising Committee Dr Wida Susanty binti Haji Suhaili said the CIPTA 2023 theme ‘Innovations for Sustainable Development Goals’ stressed sustainability as the important aspect in all new inventions while creations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global goals adopted first by United Nations in 2015. There are 17 goals which is a universal call of action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people in the world can enjoy peace and prosperity.
This is in line with Brunei Vision 2035, aimed to make the Sultanate a nation recognised for the achievements of its people who are educated and highly skilled, high quality of life and an economy that is both dynamic and sustainable as underlined by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
As inventors of the innovations and creations, she said, “One surely will need to focus on these goals because as innovators we need to provide logical and achievable solutions to address problems. With a strong motivation, a justified cause will usually bring life to the invention from the very beginning.”
