Latest news with #MohammadYusofApdal
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Cradle launches initiative to drive Malaysian SME innovation
PETALING JAYA: Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, the lead agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), has launched Cradle Innovation Advisory – a strategic partnership initiative aimed at accelerating technological transformation among corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia. The initiative is designed to address long-standing structural challenges in the national innovation ecosystem, including insufficient post-grant support, weak commercialisation pathways, fragmented connections between industry and startups, and limited SME involvement in research and development (R&D) activities. Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said innovation cannot thrive in isolation and emphasised the importance of collaboration and ecosystem building. 'With Cradle Innovation Advisory, we empower SMEs – Malaysia's economic backbone – to access the expertise, tools, and partnerships they need to innovate, scale and compete on a global stage,' he said in a statement. 'This marks a shift from simply offering support to enabling empowerment. By activating partnerships with universities, corporations, and global startup communities, we aim to create fertile ground where great ideas are not just developed, but launched into the market, with the potential to transform entire sectors.' Cradle Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said the initiative goes beyond introducing new frameworks – it is about building collaborative spaces for innovation. 'This is about creating a space where startups can work closely with key corporate players, thereby strengthening SMEs, which are the backbone of the country's economy. In this proof-of-concept phase, we will focus on refining and optimising the approach before scaling it nationally for greater, long-term impact,' he said. At the heart of the initiative is the Corporate Innovation Lab Programme, a structured platform that offers modular workshops tailored to the maturity and needs of participating organisations. Beyond workshops, Cradle will provide tailored advisory services, including innovation audits, the development of innovation roadmaps and support for R&D commercialisation. Participants will also have access to strategic services, including legal advisory and human capital planning. Aligned with national agendas such as Ekonomi Madani and the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2021–2030, Cradle Innovation Advisory aims to strengthen Malaysia's overall innovation capacity and enhance its position as a globally competitive startup and SME ecosystem.
Barnama
18-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Cradle Launches Initiative To Drive Corporate Innovation, SME Growth
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), the focal agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), today launched the Cradle Innovation Advisory, a strategic partnership initiative to accelerate technological transformation among corporates and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. In a statement, MOSTI said the initiative was introduced to address structural limitations within the national innovation ecosystem, including inadequate post-grant support, weak commercialisation pathways, fragmented linkages between industry and startups, and limited SME engagement in research and development (R&D) activities. Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the Cradle Innovation Advisory provided SMEs with access to the expertise, tools and partnerships needed to continue to innovate, grow and compete globally. 'This marks a shift from support to empowerment. By strengthening partnerships with universities, corporates, and global startup communities, we can create fertile ground where great ideas are not only developed but also launched into the market, transforming entire sectors,' he said. Meanwhile, Cradle Group chief executive officer Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said the initiative was not merely about introducing new frameworks but also about creating a space for startups to work hand‑in‑hand with key corporate players. 'In this proof‑of‑concept phase, we will refine and optimise our approach before scaling it nationally for deeper, long‑term impact,' he said. According to MOSTI, a key part of the initiative was the Corporate Innovation Lab Programme (CILP), a structured platform offering modular workshops tailored to the developmental maturity of participating organisations. The ministry also said that the initiative would offer bespoke advisory services, including innovation audits, formulation of innovation roadmaps and support for R&D commercialisation. 'Cradle will also offer access to strategic services such as legal advisory and human capital planning.
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Science
- Barnama
Malaysia Techlympics Emphasises Inclusivity And Participation For All
NILAI, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) continues to strengthen the culture of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) through its Outreach and Inclusion Programme, held in conjunction with the Malaysia Techlympics 2025 Central Zone edition. Deputy Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said more than 2,500 students from Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have participated directly in the outreach programme. 'Over 350 teachers have also taken part in Training of Trainers sessions. This initiative is crucial to ensure students, especially those in rural areas, have access to quality education in line with the country's technological advancement,' he said. He added that the programme, which is now in its fourth year, also aims to expand access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning, particularly for rural students and their teachers. Also present at the event was Datuk Mohd Faizal Ramli, chairman of the Negeri Sembilan State Action Committee on Heritage, Technology, Innovation, and Digital. Mohammad Yusof said in addition to formal classroom sessions, STI-based learning is also delivered through practical, hands-on activities where students gain direct exposure to technology from experts in the field. 'This approach allows for more interactive learning, especially in applying technology to everyday life,' he said, adding the programme is being held both in person and online nationwide from June to November to broaden access and participation. The programme adopts a practical, experience-based learning model to cultivate interest, creativity, and innovation in STI, as well as highlights emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), coding, drones, and computing. The Malaysia Techlympics 2025 Central Zone event involves students from 128 schools competing in several categories: 3.1R Global Skytech Challenge (G-SKY); 3.4R Global EZ Rover Combat Challenge (G-Rover); 4.2R Rocket Car Challenge; 5.1R 3D Printing Challenge; 6.1R World Engineering Challenge (WEC); 6.2R Forensic Crime Investigation Challenge and Viralytics: The Ground Zero.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Yusof Apdal ready to contest in state election if selected
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said he is prepared to contest a state seat in his home base of Lahad Datu in the upcoming election. The Lahad Datu MP, however, said it is up to Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to decide if he can contest for the party, which sits in opposition at the state level. "It is up to the president, there are four state seats in the Lahad Datu parliamentary constituency," said Yusof when asked by reporters after his ministry's Kupi Kupi Bah Kita with the media. Yusof, who is Shafie's younger brother, is speculated to be a possible candidate for one of the four seats in Lahad Datu, which is seen as a Warisan stronghold, having won all the seats in the 2020 snap elections. Two Warisan assemblymen—Datuk Norazlinah Arif (Kunak) and Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (Segama)—have defected to other parties. Earlier, Yusof urged the media to continue helping the ministry create awareness and understanding among the people about the ministry's role. He said various activities by his ministry aimed at creating awareness in science and innovation were still not well known among the people, especially in Sabah. "That is why we have held various programmes such as the National Science Week 2025 in Sabah. "We want Sabah children at the school level to know, understand, and become interested in the field of science, which is an important choice for the future of this country," Yusof added. He said his ministry is also proposing the establishment of a National Science Centre in Kota Kinabalu, with the state government assisting in identifying a site for the facility. He said his ministry's efforts help create a better understanding of the importance of science to the community in Sabah. He noted that many students are not interested in science subjects because they may not see a future in the field. "As such, we have the necessary programmes with scientists on tour to help students gain more interest in sciences and see the potential of its future in their career plans," he added.
Daily Express
12-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
MyGenom project begins recruitment in Sabah
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Recruitment for the MyGenom project has started in Sabah, with Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni and Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal launching the Sabah Zone MyGenom Research Data Collection, here, Friday. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), in a joint statement, said the initiative, which began in Kota Kinabalu, is being implemented through collaboration between MOH healthcare facilities and public higher education institutions (IPTA). They said the collaborative move strengthens grassroots involvement and launches recruitment operations in urban and rural areas in Sabah, where the State, with its unique genetic and ethnic diversity, is given priority in this project. In this regard, the ministries urged Sabahans, particularly the Bumiputera community, who have been underrepresented in genomic research, to actively participate in the project, enabling them to benefit from advancements in precision medicine and future health policies. 'The MyGenom project is being carried out as a strategic effort to build the nation's genomic assets to strengthen the health system, through data and technology, in line with the aspirations of the Health White Paper and the Malaysia Madani framework. 'This project is being implemented under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (DBN 2.0), through the Perdana 4 programme, which focuses on the application of genomics technology and targeted therapies to improve public health,' they said. Under the initiative, MOH is responsible for genomic sampling and public health-related analysis, while Mosti, through the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) under the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), oversees the genome sequencing process using advanced facilities. The project is currently in Phase 1, with 3,150 participants recruited from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak since August 2024, nearing the total target of 3,600 participants. 'The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) are leading this initiative, focusing on underrepresented communities, including the Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Orang Asli,' the ministries said. As of June 19, 2025, a total of 1,080 genomes have been successfully sequenced in Malaysia, with technical cooperation from MOH. This effort is supported by Mosti's investment in a high-performance sequencing system, enabling more efficient processing of hundreds of samples while ensuring that the country's genetic data sovereignty is maintained. Phase 2 will be expanded, with a target of sequencing 10,000 genomes from Malaysians of diverse ethnicities, localities, and backgrounds, a crucial step to avoid bias in understanding diseases and treatment responses. 'This genomic data will be utilised in stages for the management of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and rare diseases,' they said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
