silent catalyst that shape the future

8/8/2019 Silent Catalyst That Shape the Future

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UKM Pakar Perunding the Silent catalyst

that shape the future.

BANGI, 22 Oct. 2010 - UKM Pakar Perunding (UPP) is the catalyst

behind the research of environmental impact of tourism in Tasik Chini.

This extensive and ongoing research was commissioned by the East

Economic Region is safeguard and implement measures for

conservation.

In particular carrying out rehabilitation and conservation of Tasik ChiniState Park, Pekan, Pahang to preserve the countrys environmental

heritage.

This project is one of numerous high impact project commissioned to

UPP. According to the Chief Executive Officer of UPP Mirza Safri

Safuan UPP capabilities transcend political borders.

We have the expertise and know how to conduct research locally and

internationally, we have carried out research projects in countries like

Qatar and China., said Mirza

Some of the research that have been facilitated by PPU has been used

as a reference point for implementing government policy and help

companies to anticipate their future direction.

High impact research

Among the final products of UPP efforts are numerous Master Plan used

by state and federal governments such as Archeological Master Plan of

Research in Lembah Bujang commissioned by the Ministryof NaturalResources and Environment , The National Integrity Institute which


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stems from National Integrity Plan a study done for the Anti Corruption

Agency and Research on graduate unemployment in Malaysia a studycommissioned by National Economic Advisory Council .

It is an inside job

Though it has facilitated numerous high impact research, but their good

work usually goes unnoticed.

The reason we do not publicise every time we won a bid for a high

impact project is to protect to our client, we are bound by confidentiality

and have to keep everything under wraps no matter how big is the

discovery, said Mirza

Confidentiality is crucial to ensure that the research findings made are

independent and objective.

Analogically, they are like the people who works in intelligence gathering

operations, we dont really know who they are and who they would

recruit but they get the job done.

A client would come to them and explain their requirement, UPP willselect the best experts for the job and connect them with the client. The

experts then would go to work silently away from media spotlight.

Most of the time the expert findings is used to formulate policies or

strategy that will determine the future direction of an industry.

Research on demand


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What is the difference of research done by researchers in a university

with research which is commissioned to consulting agency like PPU?

The answer is direct benefit and impact to the public in the shortest time

possible. The research finding will be used to form policies and

implemented by the government or industry and will have direct impact

to society at large.

The research that we facilitated usually stems from the demand the

immediate demand from the market, they needed to do something and

we provide the experts that will ensure that they make an informed

decision, said Mirza.

Normal research no matter how ground breaking is the findings, has to

go through layers of layers of protocols and procedure before it can

create impact.

One perfect example, is the discovery of a drug called DCA which is a

potential cure for . The findings was made by Dr Evangelos Michelakis

from the University of Alberta face inadequate funding.

DCA is does not have patent on it, it is an old drug like a 18

th

centurybook which has no longer have any copyrights. This issue of ownership

make pharmaceutical companies shy away from investing in clinical

trials. As a result the research comes to a standstill.

A research which is done through UPP normally will not encounter this

kind of perplexing problem. It is research which is demanded by the

industry players and stakeholders for a specific purpose.


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Yet Mirza believe that that any kind of research is important for the

future development of a society.

Normal research by researchers as part of their work very significant

and but when researchers join hands with industry players, it will give

them an added advantage, said Mirza.

As for researchers giving their expertise to the industry may take them

away from the job they love; their own research. But it does give them

the network required to gain industrial funding.

silent catalyst that shape the future

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