Innovation Report: What would you say make up the building blocks of the DNA of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)?

Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: Our university motto, “In the name of God for mankind,” is very unique and beautiful. It means that whatever we do, whether it is research, teaching, consultancy, etc. – it’s not only for ourselves but for the industry, society, the country, and beyond. We do it in the name of God, for the sake of mankind. Based on this core value, we have embedded it in each and every staff member of UTM, which consists of almost 5,000 people, including about 1,600 academics.

At UTM, We take pride in our core values that is “ISES” which stands for Integrity, Synergy, Sustainability, and Excellence. Our spirit is to be purposeful and to constantly generate impact to the society and the nation.

I do believe that UTM was given the opportunity by the Prime Minister and the government of Malaysia to lead the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Malaysia due to the fact that we are “human centric” in the way we approach engineering and technology.

Among the 20 public universities, UTM was entrusted with this responsibility, which means that the impact we have made so far, based on our motto and values, has produced impactful outcomes not only for our staff but for the community, society, and the socio-economy of our country.

Innovation Report: Research partnerships with the private sector are vital for Malaysia to achieve its goals of becoming an innovation-led economy. How does UTM work to bridge the gap between academia and industry and create successful collaborations?

Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: We have to admit that commercializing our ideas, products, and innovations is quite challenging for us, as we are not a business-oriented institution. However, we have some upper hand in terms of technology understanding. To us, commercialization does not necessarily mean we need to sell our products and services; it can also be in the form of consultancy or projects.

One example is Synapses Innovation, one of our startup companies in AI technologies, which was founded by one of our non-academic staff members. The company was bought over by Neuramatix, one of the biggest companies not only locally but probably in the world as well. This strategic acquisition demonstrates our success in commercialization.

To achieve this, we need to understand that when we conduct research and write proposals, particularly for industry, we need to think of the end in mind. It’s not just about getting a paper published or enrolling a student in a postgraduate program, but understanding what the industry needs. University researchers have the knowledge that they need to share with industry, and they also need to understand what they can contribute. This linkage needs to be mutually understood; otherwise, it won’t work.

Based on this synergistic networking, UTM has produced 33 spin-off companies, among the largest number in Malaysia, with some companies even having offices in the United States. The key is understanding the end in mind. For example, in the energy sector, we need to understand why the industry needs solar energy, why the automotive industry needs hydrogen as an energy source, or why we need electric vehicles. That’s how we try to understand the needs of the industry and determine how we can support or help them further enhance their productivity.

Innovation Report: Could you highlight two or three flagship projects or spin-off companies that demonstrate UTM’s impact in areas such as technology, healthcare, agriculture, or energy?

Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: In the area of water and energy, many people say that certain areas in Malaysia and the  Middle East has water scarcity. To me, we have more than enough water. The pertinent issue is how  do we manage it?. With this important problem statement and need in mind, we have developed a technology called membrane for water desalination. We take the seawater, filter it using reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration, remove the salt content, and produce clean, drinkable water for thousands of people, not only in Malaysia but worldwide. UTM has established its name in this area.

During an earthquake in Sumatra about seven or eight years ago, the water treatment plant collapsed, and about 10,000 people lost access to water. They called UTM, and we supplied our technology to assist them. Some parts of Malaysia didn’t have enough water for over 40 years, and UTM’s expertise helped address this issue.

Another example is the use of solar energy. We leveraged on  our expertise to assist indigenous people and those in rural areas who do not have access to electricity. We are very fortunate that the industry and banks supports us by providing funding for these initiatives. We also use our expertise to reduce electricity bills by up to RM3 million per year across UTM. Because of this, last year, we were ranked number one in the world for SDG 7 (Clean Energy Production), for the THE Impact Ranking meaning that we implement our technology and expertise to provide outcomes that benefit society.

Our technology can also be used to remove toxic gases like carbon dioxide from natural gas production and in gas separation processes. Additionally, we help people worldwide by training them in stingless bee farming. Some countries in the Middle East have used our technology to build apartments for stingless bees using AI. All these are very good outcomes that serve the community, and I do feel that UTM is bringing good societal returns from taxpayers’ money to give back to them.

Innovation Report: Artificial intelligence is changing industries and work at a rapid pace. How is UTM adapting to the rate of change that AI is pushing, both in terms of student engagement and the university’s wider mission in research and commercial ventures?

Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: AI is not really a new aspect at UTM. We have a Center of Excellence established around 2005 or early 2000 who have ventured in this discipline. We gathered a few experts together and formed a center called Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics or CAIRO in 2007, which was recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia. Because of this early start, our Prime Minister gave UTM the responsibility to establish and pave the way for AI development through the first Faculty of AI in Malaysia

From 2007 onwards, we have collaborated very closely with the industry. AI is something good, but it will not move further or faster without talents. AI requires reliable data, which is provided by human beings, so we need to groom and develop talents in AI adoption. AI is not only about computing; it is multidisciplinary, involving computer science, engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering. That’s why, when we started this initiative, we brought together experts from different areas.

UTM is always leading in competitions on robots and international presentations. The Ministry of Higher Education has also given UTM the task to champion the National Robotics Center. We are very fortunate that the Malaysian government, despite whatever happens, is very focused on technological development for the benefit of the people. When talking about technological advancement, our ministry wants to develop strategic roadmaps to drive many levels of society, from the top to the medium level and grassroots. The government is now moving forward to educate as many people as possible to understand technology and drive the advancement of society as well as the socio-economy of the country. With this kind of futuristic leadership, especially in technological advancement, I feel that  Malaysia is always going to be on the right path and be on par with other developed countries worldwide.

 Innovation Report: When you take a step back and look at the complex situation in Malaysia, how confident are you in the country’s future?

 Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: We are indeed fortunate in Malaysia, and I often reflect on a particular saying: ‘If you want to walk fast, walk alone; but if you want to walk far, work together for the benefit of humankind.’ Adopting this mindset, attitude, and commitment allows us, as human beings, to significantly contribute to the betterment of society. Returning to our motivations, what we do is done in the name of God and for the sake of mankind. With such principles deeply rooted in our mindset, there is nothing in the world that can prevent us from spreading happiness. 

Innovation Report: What is the main message you would like to communicate to an international audience regarding Malaysia’s wider development or opportunities that exist for partnership or collaboration with UTM?

 Prof. Ahmad Fauzi: Malaysia welcomes all forms of partnership. The beauty of Malaysia lies in our philosophy: if you want to walk fast, you can walk alone; but if you want to walk far, working together is essential for the benefit of humankind. With this mindset and dedication, we as human beings can contribute significantly to the betterment of society and mankind. What we do, we do not for ourselves, but in the name of God, for the sake of mankind. When this principle is deeply embedded in our mindset, I believe nothing in the world can prevent us from spreading happiness. This, to me, is how we can make everyone in the world joyful. Thank you, and I look forward to welcoming you to Malaysia.