VIRTUAL I-RIA2021 RECOGNIZES 209 CREATIVE INNOVATORS
UUM ONLINE: The Covid-19 pandemic did not deter inventors from showcasing their ideas and innovations through the School of Computing's Innovative Research, Invention, and Application Exhibition 2021 (I-RIA2021) despite being held virtually.
A total of 209 groups of inventors took part and showcased their innovations at I-RIA2021 aptly themed ‘Technology-Driven Innovations Driving Transition to The New Normal’ which can be viewed via Facebook SoC https://www.facebook.com/socuummy.
Dean of School of Computing (SOC), Prof. Dr. Huda Ibrahim who is also the Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UUM CAS said innovation must be sustained because it is important in shaping the future of the country.
According to her, I-RIA has been SOC's annual programme since 2015 and will continue with greater vigour in any situation that may arise in the coming year.
She said the programme provided a platform for inventors in the field of science and technology, particularly students to showcase the latest innovations to stakeholders for the purpose of recognition, commercialization and collaboration.
Apart from recognizing the innovations of inventors, I-RIA has indirectly supported the four agendas of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely providing quality education (Quality Education), empowering industry, innovation and infrastructure (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), sustaining cities and communities (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and building partnerships for the goals (Partnerships for the Goals).
"This year, we made history because, for the first time, I-RIA2021 was organized virtually by providing a virtual exhibition gallery similar to the actual exhibition hall for visitors to visit http://tiny.cc/i-riaVH," she said.
This year's I-RIA competition included three categories - Institutions of Higher Learning, Open and International, and Schools. A professional jury from various fields judged all of the competing products.
There were seven main I-RIA awards up for grabs, including the I-RIA Platinum Award, the Special Award Assistant Vice-Chancellor UUM, the Special Award for Innovation, the Special Award for Young Inventor, the Special Award for Best Video, and the Special Award for Best Project, in addition to 11 special awards sponsored by external academic institutions and industry, and other awards.
UUM received three awards namely the Assistant Vice-Special Chancellor's Award (Automated Enhancement System Project for Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Fundus Image), the Best Video Special Award (Hello Snake Project: An Online Game-Based Approach in Learning Java Programming Language), and the UUM Innovation and Commercialization Centre (ICC) Special Award (G-Ventures Project: An Educational Mobile Game for Green Awareness).
In addition, 12 UUM innovation products were awarded gold medals. The complete competition results can be found on the I-RIA 2021 website at https://i-ria.my.
Dr. Mazlan Abas, CEO and Co-Founder of FAVORIOT, delivered the keynote address entitled ‘Innovations in the New Era of IR 4.0.'
I-RIA2021 was officiated by Kedah Darulaman State Executive Council Member and Chairman of the Science, Technology and Innovation Committee, Dato' Wira Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail.