Serdang: Universities must evolve into institutions capable of producing high-value innovations that translate into practical solutions for society and industry, rather than limiting research to laboratories or academic journals, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir. He emphasized the need for universities to play a greater role in generating meaningful impact on the economy and society.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zambry highlighted that many local research projects possess strong potential to be commercialised and showcased internationally. However, these projects continue to face challenges related to funding, strategic support, and access to investment ecosystems. He made these remarks in a statement after attending the 'Opening Access to Capital: Roundtable for Universities and Venture Capitalists' programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang, Selangor.

In the same statement, UPM vice-chancellor Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah expressed the university's commitment to strengthening its innovation culture and governance framework. This commitment aims to ensure that research outcomes can be translated into tangible benefits for industry and the wider community.

The programme, organized jointly by UPM and the Malaysian Private Capital Association (MPCA), created a broader platform for collaboration between universities and investors. This initiative serves as a preparation for the 2026 University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (URIIS), bringing together university representatives, venture capital investors, and policymakers. The discussions focused on efforts to accelerate access to financing and help university research products expand into industrial and international markets.