Researchers and students in Sarawak will gain direct access to global patent databases and intellectual property commercialisation advice under a new initiative aimed at helping academic research move closer to the market.
The initiative will see Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak become the 27th member of Malaysia’s national Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) network, following an agreement with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
MyIPO Director General Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said the centre would help close the gap between academic research and commercial market needs.
“Through this platform, researchers and students will now be able to conduct in-depth patent searches and patentability analysis at the early stages of research. This not only avoids duplication of research, but also maximises the economic value of the intellectual property produced,” she said.
The centre is expected to give researchers earlier access to patent information, allowing them to assess existing technologies and the potential for registering new inventions before investing further in research and development.
The move comes as Swinburne Sarawak continues to build its intellectual property activity. The university ranked eighth among private universities for the highest number of patent filings with MyIPO in 2025, while 38 copyright applications were filed between 2025 and 2026.
The partnership also included a session on patent drafting and broader intellectual property protection, covering ways to strengthen the commercial potential of local innovations and improve their prospects in international markets.
MyIPO and Swinburne Sarawak said the collaboration would support a stronger intellectual property-driven innovation culture and contribute to knowledge-based economic growth in Sarawak.
