Mi siput processing machine new innovation under PPRN initiative

BATU PAHAT, June 26 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIT), has collaborated with T&M Enterprise in Kampung Sungai Nibong, Semerah, here, to build machines to make a local snack called mi siput.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the collaboration under the ministry's Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) initiative involves designing new machines or processes that help increase the production of mi siput to 250 kilogrammes (kg) from 80 kg previously.

“The project also succeeded in increasing production efficiency, whereby almost no raw material was wasted compared to previous machines which produced 10 kg of waste,” she said in a statement today.

She also said that the ministry had made various efforts to strengthen public-private networks through strategic collaborations with industry in increasing the productivity of small and medium enterprises through innovation or appropriate technology.

In this regard, she said, higher learning institutions (IPTs) would play the role of solution providers for the industry through the PPRN initiative.

Elaborating, Noraini said the project involved a research grant of RM30,150 and T&M Enterprise had provided RM3,350 as a matching grant from the industry.

“We highly encourage the participation of academics to carry out demand-driven research and strengthen public-private networks through innovative research from IPTs. We also urge IPTs to actively collaborate with the industry,” she added.

Meanwhile, UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail said the cooperation provides an opportunity for the local community to further develop their businesses with a more modern and organised method with the help of UTM researchers.

“I also call on other private companies to work with UTM to improve machines or processes used in their companies using local expertise,” he said.

-- BERNAMA