SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA (8 MAY 2026) – In today’s increasingly competitive innovation landscape, strong technical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient. Researchers and academics must also understand how to position ideas, demonstrate impact, and communicate innovation effectively. Recognising this need, the Office of Research & Industrial Linkages, Faculty of Chemical Engineering (FKK), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), organised The Winner’s Formula: Innovation Workshop 2026, an online capacity building programme aimed at strengthening innovation readiness among academic staff, researchers, and postgraduate communities.
Bridging Ideas with Innovation Impact
Conducted via Google Meet, the workshop provided participants with practical exposure to key elements required to transform research and project outcomes into competitive innovation products. Participants gained valuable insights into innovation development pathways, strategies for positioning ideas, and the foundational preparation required for innovation competitions and commercialisation initiatives.
The session was delivered by Ms. Wan Suraya Binti Sahabaludin, Head of the Quality Section, Department of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations, Shah Alam City Council, who brought over 25 years of experience in quality management, innovation, organisational development, and productivity. Her extensive involvement as a speaker, facilitator, mentor, and evaluator in Innovative and Creative Group (Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif, KIK) programmes at national and international levels provided participants with practical perspectives grounded in real innovation success stories.
Learning from an Innovation Practitioner
Beyond theoretical understanding, participants were exposed to practical strategies on how ideas can be strengthened into impactful innovations with greater potential for recognition and implementation. Drawing from her extensive mentoring experience, Ms. Wan Suraya shared valuable perspectives on innovation pitching, understanding evaluation expectations, and cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement and excellence.
Her contributions to innovation development have been widely recognised through prestigious accolades, including the National Level Leader Award by the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC), the National Excellent Facilitator Award, and the Outstanding Women Achiever Award. She has also successfully mentored numerous innovation teams across Malaysia that achieved recognition, including internationally.
Positive Response and Future Readiness
The programme received encouraging participation and positive feedback, with many attendees highlighting valuable takeaways related to pitching strategies, commercialisation awareness, and innovation development. Several participants also expressed interest in receiving continued mentoring and participating in future innovation related programmes, reflecting growing enthusiasm for innovation driven initiatives within the university ecosystem.
Participants particularly appreciated the practical insights shared during the session, especially in strengthening product potential, enhancing innovation presentation skills, and translating research and project outcomes into impactful solutions.
Strengthening UiTM’s Innovation Culture
This initiative reflects FKK UiTM’s ongoing commitment to strengthening innovation culture, enhancing research impact, and equipping researchers with the necessary mindset and capabilities to advance ideas beyond laboratory or classroom settings. By cultivating innovation readiness and confidence, UiTM continues to nurture a community capable of transforming ideas into meaningful societal and industrial impact.
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