PROTON TO COMMERCIALISE RESEARCH PRODUCT BEING DEVELOPED BY UTM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd expects to
commercialise the first research product being developed by Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (Technology University of Malaysia) -(UTM) for the national carmarker
in the second half of next year.

The two parties Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a
professorship programme, in which UTM will assign a professor on a fulltime
basis to assist Proton in strengthening research capabilities.

This initiative will drive further efforts in intellectual property
development in the form of patent, copyright and industrial design.

Group managing director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said
under the agreement, UTM would be responsible for generating 40 intellectual
properties for Proton, from this year to 2013.

"We have started research a few months ago. There are a few studies, for
example the development of a rooftop solar panel and how to reduce cabin
temperature," he told reporters after signing the MoU.

Syed Zainal Abidin said Proton hoped to further strengthen its
competitiveness and position as an automotive company through the collaboration
as well as to develop quality human capital to drive Malaysia forward as an
advanced nation by 2020.

For the initiative, Proton will contribute RM500,000 (US$157,232) and UTM
will provide RM1 million (US$314,000) for the first year, he said.

Professor Mohd Azman Zainul Abidin, who has been assigned to lead the
research studies, said the programme that started five months ago was not to
create a new car but to enhance Proton cars with better technology, including
green technology and hybrid technology.

He said the research studies would not only focused on engineering but also
on other aspects such as the development of skilled workers.

UTM was awarded the National IP (Intellectual Property) Award for
Organisation category in 2006, 2009 and 2010. To date, the university has filed
1,870 patents valued at RM1.8 billion (US$566 million).
-- BERNAMA


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