WORQ provides Start-Up Office space for the benefit of UMPSA staff

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 November 2024 – Co-working spaces, or shared workspaces, are becoming increasingly popular and rapidly expanding as an alternative to conventional offices. 
These spaces differ from traditional offices by offering a more flexible work culture and diverse facilities.

The Innovation and Commercial Management Centre (ICC), Research and Innovation Department (JPI), in collaboration with UMPSA Advanced, now has office space at WORQ Sunway Putra Mall, operational since 1 June 2024.

According to the ICC Director, Professor Dr Ahmad Tarmizi Haron, the availability of this facility in Kuala Lumpur provides opportunities for start-up incubators and commercialisation activities. It also serves as a venue for professional meetings and strategic collaboration sessions with industries and agencies.

“The facilities provided at WORQ include the UMPSA Start-Up Room (available 24/7), meeting rooms for discussions and formal meetings, a pantry equipped with food and beverages, dedicated spaces for activities such as customer and industry meetings, event spaces, and flexible offices,” he said.

Currently, UMPSA has four start-up companies established to commercialise academic staff products and expertise: The Microbiome Lab (TML), Edgify Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Laras Mekanika Sdn. Bhd., and Pretech Global Sdn. Bhd.

These facilities also provide researchers and collaboration partners with opportunities to meet and hold negotiations.

The Founder of The Microbiome Lab (TML), Ts. Dr Hajar Fauzan Ahmad, a lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), highlighted how the WORQ facilities support researchers and lecturers by providing a convenient space for meetings and discussions with stakeholders, fostering a relaxed yet productive working environment.

“As a start-up, my company specialises in detecting microbial genomes and functional analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

“TML combines high-precision short-read sequencing (Illumina) with long-read sequencing (Nanopore) for complex genome structure analysis.

“Internationally, TML collaborates with organisations such as the KWEF Foundation, Shiga University, and companies like futureNRG, Kualiti Alam, and RadiCare in clinical waste management, as well as Wipro Winnox, FGV, and B-crobes in probiotic discovery,” he said.

Domestically, TML partners with the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) on studies of rare microbial infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

The company also conducts indoor air microbiome research with NIOSH.

“In academia, TML collaborates with UKM, UiTM, UMPSA, IIUM, and UNIMAS on projects such as gut microbiome analysis for cancer detection, driving innovations that contribute to health and environmental advancements,” he added.

Edgify Solutions Sdn. Bhd., founded by Ts. Dr Syafiq Fauzi Kamarulzaman from the Faculty of Computing (FK), focuses on smart systems development using edge computing technology. 

The company integrates intelligence into smart city systems, smart agriculture, and smart manufacturing.

Its services include consulting, system development, and artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) system analysis. 

Edgify Solutions is also collaborating with local companies to address the wild elephant crisis in Johor with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and improve product packaging systems with Kaneka (M) Bhd.

Laras Mekanika Sdn. Bhd., founded by Associate Professor Ir. Dr Fadhlur Rahman Mohd. Romlay from the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), specialises in design, modelling, and analysis of engineering equipment. 

The company focuses on advanced ultrasonic equipment, digital planning systems, and mechanical control, offering system integration solutions and automation to enhance technology performance and reliability.

Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) as a core strength, Laras Mekanika evaluates and optimises structural and system integrity to meet industry standards, serving dynamic industries such as oil and gas, automotive, and engineering.

Pretech Global Sdn. Bhd., led by Dr Noormazlinah Ahmad from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP), focuses on sustainable agriculture, bio-products, and waste management using green technologies.

The company’s flagship product is a prebiotic organic liquid fertiliser designed to enhance soil health and stimulate beneficial microorganisms through natural enzymatic processes.

Pretech Global collaborates internationally with organisations such as Agrico in Qatar, Indonesia, and industry representatives in Kuwait and Oman. Domestically, the company works with LPNM, NAFAS, LKPP Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Peat Organic Sdn. Bhd., and HICOM to promote the local economy through sustainable green technologies.

The ICC invites any UMPSA academic staff or responsibility centres (PTJ) interested in using these facilities to contact Ms Hardyana Mohd Saman at hardyanam@umpsa.edu.my or syamimmazlan@umpsa.edu.my to coordinate their needs.

By: Anuar Abdul Aziz, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)