Latest news with #SharmilaMohamedSalleh
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
YIM targets more Sabah grassroots social innovations
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: YIM Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh - pix Bernama Kota Kinabalu: The Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) is ramping up efforts to identify and support more grassroots social innovations in Sabah to foster a sustainable local innovation ecosystem. YIM Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh said the innovation foundation, established under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), serves as a platform to discover, develop and match grassroots innovations with development funding. 'Our mandate is to find innovations with social, economic and environmental impact, and then support their growth through targeted funding,' she said. She said YIM differs from other organisations in its focus on applying technology to social innovation models that deliver tangible benefits to communities. 'Any business or model that incorporates innovation and contributes meaningfully to society falls within our scope,' she added. YIM recently partnered with the Ministry of Economy to pilot a project aimed at helping grassroots innovators commercialise their products and build more sustainable ventures. Eleven innovators were selected nationwide, including four from Sabah, each receiving RM80,000 for project implementation over 12 months. 'The pilot began in June last year and concluded last month. The outcomes so far are promising. YIM provided support ranging from equipment and training to sustainable product development,' she said. The foundation will conduct a six-month impact review covering business growth, profitability and contributions to local economies. Among the Sabah-based innovators supported is Anne Antah, founder of Chanteek Borneo, which produces ethnic-inspired accessories and apparel suitable for both formal and everyday wear. Other recipients include Joardy Mardeko, who created the Coconut Patty Burger made from high-fibre coconut pulp, as well as Sariyaman Sabur, developer of cassava-based nuggets rich in complex carbohydrates and fibre as a healthy alternative. YIM also helped revive an aquafarm in Kundasang that was affected by the 2015 earthquake, redeveloping it using modern aquaculture and hydroponic systems. 'We're also collaborating with universities to develop innovations that don't yet exist in Malaysia, from the research phase through to commercialisation with real social impact,' Sharmila said. YIM is currently working with Universiti Malaysia Sabah on a mountain hiking-related innovation, with details to be announced once finalised. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
YIM Strengthens Role Through High-impact Projects In Langkawi
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), continues to strengthen its role in driving grassroots innovation through the implementation of several high-impact projects that target inclusive and sustainable community development. MOSTI Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad held a working visit to the foundation recently to observe the progress of the project implementation in Langkawi, Kedah. YIM, in a statement today, said that the visit began with the Golden Sea Cucumber Rehabilitation and Conservation Programme at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Jetty at Sungai Chenang Landing, Langkawi. During the visit, the delegation was taken to Pulau Singa Besar for live monitoring of the Restoration and Marine Life Framework, including the release of 20 sea cucumber broodstock and 200 sea cucumber juveniles. "The main objective of this programme is to sustain the local sea cucumber industry through biodiversity conservation and the use of local technology for conservation purposes and community socio-economic improvement," it said. According to YIM Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, the programme not only helps in biodiversity conservation but also benefits the local community through economic empowerment and technological innovation. 'Langkawi has great potential as a community innovation hub, and we at YIM will continue to support initiatives that bring technology closer to the community,' she said. The Gamat Emas project proves that smart collaboration between researchers, agencies and industry can be realised with effective business model management. Implementation of the project involves a collaboration between Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), with YIM as the implementing and monitoring agency, while the Malaysian Academy of Sciences (ASM) is the coordinating agency.
Barnama
28-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Second RDC In Kelantan Open To Public, Provides Access To Technology And Innovation
KOTA BHARU, April 24 (Bernama) -- The second Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC) in Kelantan is now open to the public, offering an inclusive platform that provides access to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial training for all, regardless of background or digital literacy level. Yayasan Inovatif Malaysia (YIM) chief executive officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh said the initiative by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) provided an open platform for all levels of society to access technological facilities that were once available only at higher learning institutions and research centres. 'We bring the technology available at colleges and universities here for everyone to use. This RDC is not just a space; it also offers training in Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economics (STIE) as well as entrepreneurship. 'Participants need not have expertise in digital or innovation fields, as training and guidance are provided, alongside access to laboratories, 3D printing equipment, computers, digital studios, robotics, drones, and large digital screens,' she told a press conference after the Kota Bharu RDC opening ceremony here. Also present was MOSTI deputy secretary-general (Science Planning and Cultivation) Ruziah Shafei. Since its inception in 2021, Sharmila said a total of 21 RDCs have been established nationwide, each with different implementation models tailored to the respective states and the involvement of relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The first RDC in Kelantan was opened in Tumpat last year. 'Each state has between two and three RDCs, except for Perlis, which has yet to have the facility. We are currently identifying suitable locations for RDCs in Perlis, while Kedah already has one in Langkawi,' she said. Sharmila said that this year, MOSTI has proposed the establishment of 10 additional RDCs in several states, including Pahang, Putrajaya, and Sarawak, with the cost of each RDC estimated at RM300,000, covering complete equipment and facilities. 'To date, more than 13,000 individuals have used the RDC facilities across the country, while over 11,000 have participated in the various training programmes provided. The target groups include school students, women, and civil servants.
