UiTM provides RM3.55 million post COVID-19 research grants

UiTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Ir Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim said the grants were intended to encourage the university staff to be more active in high-impact researches to help the country solve community problems.

"The grants are also aimed at identifying the potentials of high quality and high profile researchers and visiting researchers, especially for those who have recently completed their doctor of philosophy and post-doctoral studies.

"The provision of grants through the Education Excellence Fund and Endowment Fund is one of the initiatives under UiTM Strategic Plan 2025 to foster a culture of translational research that benefits the industry, society and the nation," he said in a statement yesterday.

Mohd Azraai said the incentives provided through the grants were also based on the current situation in order for academics to use their knowledge and expertise to address community and national issues, especially in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said the grants which were contributed by alumni, UiTM staff and the corporate sector would also focus on six areas of research at the university, namely health and wellness, social and innovation, cyber technology and energy and environment.

Mohd Azraai said, in the current state of the COVID19 pandemic, researchers should seize the opportunity through the allocation that would be opened next month to work with their colleagues and former supervisors overseas to achieve the vision of the grants.

He added that UiTM also encourages its researchers who were educated abroad to collaborate in researches with former supervisors so that it could have a positive impact and reputation on both educational institutions.