Latest news with #MyIS
The Sun
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
YIM boosts social innovation in Terengganu through JIS programme
KUALA TERENGGANU: The 2025 Eastern Zone Jejak Inovasi Sosial (JIS) programme has successfully strengthened partnerships between Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), local communities, state governments, and academic researchers, according to YIM chief executive officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh. She stated that the initiative achieved its goal of fostering collaboration and gathering critical insights for future social innovation interventions. The programme includes four key components: the Malaysia Social Innovation Initiative, MyIS Komuniti and MyIS Akar Umbi, Innovation Catalyst Volunteers (iCATS), and the Youth Innovative Challenge (YIC). 'Through JIS, we gained in-depth understanding of social, economic, and environmental challenges in the eastern zone, particularly in Kuala Terengganu,' Sharmila said. 'One key focus was the struggles of the fishing community, which will be analysed before solutions are proposed by experts.' She emphasised the importance of stakeholder feedback, noting that social innovation requires a deep grasp of community issues. The programme included engagement sessions where key concerns were identified for further assessment. Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim attended the event, flagging off the YIM delegation vehicles for the Eastern Zone JIS. Meanwhile, the YIC competition at the Kuala Terengganu Science Centre saw three winners from local universities advancing to the inter-zone round, competing for the MyIS Perintis grant worth RM400,000. Sharmila highlighted that the best innovator will receive an opportunity to study technology and innovation at a Swiss university. She also visited four innovation projects, including modular batik production and essential oil extraction, to assess challenges faced during development. 'Social innovation isn't just about the final product but also the process,' she added. 'For instance, modular batik faces cost and durability issues, which we hope researchers can help resolve.' - Bernama
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
YIM expands innovation projects to boost local income in Melaka
MELAKA: The Malaysia Innovation Foundation (YIM) is intensifying efforts to elevate local community incomes through social innovation and technology integration. Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, YIM's chief executive officer, highlighted the foundation's strategy of combining training, equipment, and tech solutions to address challenges faced by small businesses. Many local operators grapple with weather-dependent operations, outdated methods, and limited infrastructure, which restrict productivity. The MyIS Komuniti programme seeks to bridge these gaps by matching innovations with suitable technologies. 'We're not just focusing on products but also on social innovation—research, replication, and broader economic impact,' Sharmila said during the Southern Zone Innovation Tracing Programme in Pantai Kundor. The event, officiated by Pantai Kundor assemblywoman Tuminah Kardi, showcased four community projects: traditional inang-inang food production, fibreglass boat manufacturing, dried fish processing, and a proposed nipah crab and mussel farming site. Innovations like weather-resistant fish-drying techniques and child-friendly snacks were highlighted as key advancements. Sharmila encouraged applicants to seize remaining grants under this year's MyIS programme, which has allocated RM6.725 million across three initiatives—MyIS Komuniti (RM3 million), MaGRIs (RM2 million), and Ruang Daya Cipta (RM1.725 million). Since 2015, over 200,000 innovators have benefited from RM50 million in support, including equipment and training. Only 20 top applications will be selected this round. YIM is also pursuing additional funding from MOSTI to expand grassroots outreach. 'Weather-resistant tech is crucial for income stability during adverse conditions,' Sharmila noted, emphasising the need for cross-agency collaboration to strengthen the innovation value chain. - Bernama
