Latest news with #LTU
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India–Australia bioinnovation corridor launches cross border tech accelerator
The Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) and La Trobe University (LTU), Australia, have launched the Ind–Aus Launchpad Programme, a cross-border accelerator designed to fast-track high-potential biotech, digital health, and sustainable technology startups for global initiative builds on the Bioinnovation Exchange Corridor, established under a September 2024 MoU between the State of Victoria and the State of Karnataka. Supported by the Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, and the Victorian Government, the corridor integrates the startup ecosystems of Bengaluru and Melbourne, enabling joint R&D, advanced prototyping, and rapid commercialization in sectors including digital health, sustainable agriculture, precision medicine, and environmental resilience. The programme's first cohort of 11 Indian startups underwent an intensive 12-week pre-accelerator at BBC, combining shared lab and prototyping facilities, market access simulations, IP advisory services, and advanced TRL (Technology Readiness Level) assessments. Startups were also evaluated on Commercialization Readiness Level (CRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) to ensure technology viability and scalability. Following this process, three startups were selected for a fully sponsored immersion programme at LTU's Bio Innovation Hub in Melbourne: 1. Microbeworks Scientific – Developing bioengineered microbial dyes to replace toxic synthetic dyes in textiles, with potential to reduce water contamination by up to 90%. 2. HornetBiologicals – Using RT-PCR and microarray-based genetic screening to improve livestock breeding productivity by over 30%. 3. IMRobonix – Creator of SurgiKot, India's first robotic handheld device for precision-driven minimally invasive surgeries, integrating AI-guided navigation. The Melbourne immersion includes co-location with LTU researchers, regulatory readiness workshops, investor roundtables, and product-market feasibility studies for Australia and global markets. Over the next phase, the programme will add a one-month onsite immersion, 12-month virtual residency, and cross-border co-innovation sprints for startups from both India and Australia. 'The Ind–Aus. Launchpad operationalizes a global innovation pipeline — giving startups real-world access to R&D infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and market intelligence,' said Dr Mohamed Adil A.A, Managing Director, BBC. 'This is a two-way bridge between two leading innovation economies, designed to deliver deep-tech and digital health solutions with global relevance,' added Professor Theo Farrell, Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University. With global biotech expected to reach USD 3.88 trillion by 2030 (Grand View Research), and India projected to become a USD 150 billion bioeconomy by 2025, the corridor exemplifies how international innovation diplomacy can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready technologies. By linking India's high-growth startup ecosystem with Australia's advanced research infrastructure, the Ind–Aus. Launchpad positions both economies to address shared challenges in health, sustainability, and technology-led growth.
The Star
16-06-2025
- The Star
Senior civil engineer charged with accepting RM100,000 in bribes over LTU project claims
KOTA BARU: A senior civil engineer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here Monday (June 16) to 14 charges of receiving RM100,000 in bribes in connection with payment claims for the Central Spine Road (LTU) project in Gua Musang, Kelantan. Based on the 14 charges, Mohd Azly Abdul Aziz, 44, in his capacity as South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) Public Works Department (JKR) senior civil engineer is accused of receiving RM100,000 in separate sums ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 via online bank transfers from a 70-year-old contractor. The alleged gratification was in return for recommending the certification of interim payment claims for the LTU Package 3 project from Gua Musang, Kelantan, to Kampung Relong, Pahang. The offences were allegedly committed at a bank branch on Jalan Maju here between Dec 22, 2022 and Oct 31, 2023. He is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 [Act 694], which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. MACC Deputy Public Prosecutor Tengku Nurul Haziqah Tuan Yacob appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Azeezi Nordin. Earlier, Tengku Nurul Haziqah proposed bail at RM20,000 for all charges. However, Azeezi sought a lower amount of RM8,000, citing that his client is currently on unpaid leave and financially supporting a wife and four children. "Following his remand and subsequent release during the investigation, the accused suffered from depression and applied for one-year unpaid leave, which was approved from Nov 26, 2024, to Nov 26 this year. "Upon learning that he would be charged, he experienced further emotional distress and chose to resign from his post. His resignation was approved, taking effect from June 18. As such, he is no longer a civil servant," the counsel submitted. He added that the accused is now working as a soap vendor and e-hailing driver, earning approximately RM3,000 a month. Judge Dazuki Ali allowed bail at RM12,000 with one surety and fixed July 17 for case mention. - Bernama
The Sun
16-06-2025
- The Sun
Senior civil engineer charged with accepting RM100,000 in bribes over LTU project claims
KOTA BHARU: A senior civil engineer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to 14 charges of receiving RM100,000 in bribes in connection with payment claims for the Central Spine Road (LTU) project in Gua Musang, Kelantan. Based on the 14 charges, Mohd Azly Abdul Aziz, 44, in his capacity as senior civil engineer with the Special Projects Unit of the East Coast Economic Region Development at the Public Works Department headquarters, is accused of receiving RM100,000 in separate sums ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 via online bank transfers from a 70-year-old contractor. The alleged gratification was in return for recommending the certification of interim payment claims for the LTU Package 3 project from Gua Musang, Kelantan, to Kampung Relong, Pahang. The offences were allegedly committed at a bank branch on Jalan Maju here between Dec 22, 2022 and Oct 31, 2023. He is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 [Act 694], which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. MACC deputy public prosecutor Tengku Nurul Haziqah Tuan Yacob appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Azeezi Nordin. Earlier, Tengku Nurul Haziqah proposed bail at RM20,000 for all charges. However, Azeezi sought a lower amount of RM8,000, citing that his client is currently on unpaid leave and financially supporting a wife and four children. 'Following his remand and subsequent release during the investigation, the accused suffered from depression and applied for one-year unpaid leave, which was approved from Nov 26, 2024 to Nov 26 this year. 'Upon learning that he would be charged, he experienced further emotional distress and chose to resign from his post. His resignation was approved, taking effect from June 18. As such, he is no longer a civil servant,' the counsel submitted. He added that the accused is now working as a soap vendor and e-hailing driver, earning approximately RM3,000 a month. Judge Dazuki Ali allowed bail at RM12,000 with one surety and fixed July 17 for case mention.
Barnama
16-06-2025
- Barnama
Senior Civil Engineer Charged With Accepting RM100,000 In Bribes Over LTU Project Claims
KOTA BHARU, June 16 (Bernama) -- A senior civil engineer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to 14 charges of receiving RM100,000 in bribes in connection with payment claims for the Central Spine Road (LTU) project in Gua Musang, Kelantan. Based on the 14 charges, Mohd Azly Abdul Aziz, 44, in his capacity as senior civil engineer with the Special Projects Unit of the East Coast Economic Region Development at the Public Works Department headquarters, is accused of receiving RM100,000 in separate sums ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 via online bank transfers from a 70-year-old contractor. The alleged gratification was in return for recommending the certification of interim payment claims for the LTU Package 3 project from Gua Musang, Kelantan, to Kampung Relong, Pahang. The offences were allegedly committed at a bank branch on Jalan Maju here between Dec 22, 2022 and Oct 31, 2023. He is charged under Section 16(a)(B) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 [Act 694], which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. MACC deputy public prosecutor Tengku Nurul Haziqah Tuan Yacob appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel Azeezi Nordin. Earlier, Tengku Nurul Haziqah proposed bail at RM20,000 for all charges. However, Azeezi sought a lower amount of RM8,000, citing that his client is currently on unpaid leave and financially supporting a wife and four children. 'Following his remand and subsequent release during the investigation, the accused suffered from depression and applied for one-year unpaid leave, which was approved from Nov 26, 2024 to Nov 26 this year. 'Upon learning that he would be charged, he experienced further emotional distress and chose to resign from his post. His resignation was approved, taking effect from June 18. As such, he is no longer a civil servant,' the counsel submitted.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University fined for franchised course monitoring
A university has been fined £115,000 by the higher education regulator for failing to effectively address risks associated with its franchised courses. The Office for Students (OfS) identified "serious failures" in the arrangements Leeds Trinity University (LTU) had in place to oversee its sub-contractual partnerships. The inquiry found an "overarching risk" that LTU was unable to "properly ensure quality" with the arrangements or respond to concerns when raised. The university's vice-chancellor said "rapid growth in our partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time". External organisations can operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf. However, the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers placed the interests of students or taxpayers "at risk". The OfS investigation looked at franchised provision at LTU between 2022 and 2024. It found LTU's oversight arrangements were "not adequate" to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU "did not properly consider" the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between 2023 and 2024. "It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed," the report said. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and had agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's ''co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive'', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: "The rapid expansion of courses delivered through sub-contractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers." The university said it "fully accepted" the investigation's conclusions. Prof Charles Egbu, LTU vice-chancellor, said: "We are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. "We welcome the OfS's acknowledgment of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our sub-contractual arrangements." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Office for Students Leeds Trinity University
