University researchers told to explore new things

BESUT: Researchers from both public and private institutions of higher learning have been told to explore new things and not to become mere users to other people's inventions in order to help the country to achieve a developed nation status.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said such a matter was important if Malaysia aspired to become the leader in world's advancement as the existing inventions by others might not be suitable to the country.
"In order to achieve the ultimate success, the researchers need to contribute ideas by exploring new inventions that can be used not only by our own people, but also by others in various fields," he told reporters after the launch of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu's (UMT) Ulul Albab Al-Quran Studio in Kampung Raja Lama here yesterday.
Idris said the ministry was now incorporating the concept of exploring new things by introducing several fresh approaches including the Integrated CGPA, CEO Faculty Programme, 2U2I (two years in university, two years industrial attachment) Programme, Gap Year Programme and Apel.
Meanwhile, he also praised UMT for having succeeded in developing the high-technology studio using digital Quran and virtual technology in which every recitation by its students could be recorded both in audio and visual.
"I am confident that the invention by UMT can be a vocal training centre particularly for 'taranum' (Quran recitation tunes) and a reference for the society especially the younger generation," Idris added. — Bernama