20 August 2010 - Proton and UTM signed a MOU to develop new technologies via research for better solution on Proton cars. It will include solar panel, reduce interior temperature and other enhancement on future Proton cars. This is a good step by UTM to help Proton improves and get more ideas on new technology application. Read further news from Bernama below.
Proton Holdings Bhd expects to commercialise the first research product being developed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the national carmarker in the second half of next year.
The two parties today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a professorship programme, in which UTM will assign a professor on a fulltime basis to assist Proton in strengthening research capabilities.
This initiative will drive further efforts in intellectual property development in the form of patent, copyright and industrial design. Group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said under the agreement, UTM would be responsible for generating 40 intellectual properties for Proton, from this year to 2013.
“We have started research a few months ago. There are a few studies, for example the development of a rooftop solar panel and how to reduce cabin temperature,” he told reporters after signing the MoU.
Syed Zainal Abidin said Proton hoped to further strengthen its competitiveness and position as an automotive company through the collaboration as well as to develop quality human capital to drive Malaysia forward as an advanced nation by 2020.
For the initiative, Proton will contribute RM500,000 and UTM will provide RM1 million for the first year, he said.
Professor Mohd Azman Zainul Abidin, who has been assigned to lead the research studies, said the programme that started five months ago was not to create a new car but to enhance Proton cars with better technology, including green technology and hybrid technology.
He said the research studies would not only focused on engineering but also on other aspects such as the development of skilled workers. UTM was awarded the National IP (Intellectual Property) Award for Organisation category in 2006, 2009 and 2010. To date, the university has filed 1,870 patents valued at RM1.8 billion.
