{
  "id": 9443147,
  "title": "USM takes research beyond the lab",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/usm-takes-research-beyond-the-lab",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-24T00:00:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1539765/usm-takes-research-beyond-lab"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has secured RM1.202 million in new funding from Intel Malaysia and Micron Memory Malaysia, fueling Malaysia's push to advance semiconductor capabilities and transform university research into real-world applications. At the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (URIIS) 2026, USM's Vice-Chancellor emphasized the funding as a response to the persistent challenge of moving promising research from publications to commercial validation. Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the critical gap between research and market adoption, urging three shifts: moving from grants to broader capital ecosystems, transitioning from research outputs to real-world solutions, and fostering enterprise and ownership. With a strong innovation base, Malaysia ranked 34th globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and second among upper-middle-income economies. The strategic goal is to connect top ideas with credible partners, capital, and clear pathways to scale. URIIS 2026 brought together universities, investors, industry, and policymakers around 200 investment-potential technologies across nine sectors. USM showcased its model, with Intel Malaysia and Micron Memory Malaysia pledging RM482,000 and RM720,000 respectively. The USM-Intel partnership, active since 2023, has funded 11 advanced packaging projects and introduced industry-aligned education programs and a joint lab. Malaysia's position as a leading innovation hub is further enhanced by USM's international collaborations, including an MoU with Leave a Nest Japan, fostering connections with research, development, and investment opportunities worth US$120,000.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has secured RM1.202 million in new industry funding from Intel Malaysia and Micron Memory Malaysia.",
  "key_points": [
    "USM secures RM1.202 million from Intel and Micron for semiconductor research.",
    "URIIS 2026 highlights gap between research and market adoption.",
    "USM-Intel partnership funds 11 projects and develops industry-aligned education."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Universiti Sains Malaysia's secured funding from Intel Malaysia and Micron Memory Malaysia signifies a step towards bridging the gap between research and commercial validation, aligning with Malaysia's goal to advance semiconductor capabilities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}