From reviving Malaysia’s endangered marine species to commercialising student innovations, Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) continues to redefine possibilities — demonstrating that the impossible is only the beginning when innovation meets community purpose.
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 June 2025 – In a surprising but meaningful celebration of National Journalists’ Day 2025, Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) brought together media professionals and its Board of Trustees for a “Mission Impossible” movie night at TGV Pavilion Bukit Jalil. But the theme was more than cinematic flair — it mirrored the agency’s real-world mission: making the seemingly impossible, possible.
Under the stewardship of its dynamic Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, YIM, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), is not just producing success stories — it is shaping the innovation ecosystem of tomorrow. From commercialising final-year student projects to revitalising Malaysia’s marine biodiversity, YIM is reimagining the power of grassroots innovation.
From Prototype to Marketplace: A Road Less Travelled
For many students and individual inventors, promising ideas often stall at the prototype stage, buried beneath academic archives or lost due to lack of funding. Recognising this gap, YIM has stepped in as a key player in converting dormant potential into dynamic, market-ready solutions.
Through programmes such as the MyIS Apprentice and MyIS Akar Umbi / MaGRIs initiatives, YIM offers development grants, technical mentorship, and structured guidance to help innovators move from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 6 — bridging the critical chasm between prototyping and pre-commercialisation.
“Many students develop incredible final-year projects that are left behind after graduation,” Dr. Sharmila explained during the event. “Our goal is to take those ideas, which often solve real-world problems, and give them a pathway to reach the market. We don’t just fund; we verify, test, and guide them to maturity.”
A case in point is the mushroom cultivation project in Kelantan. What appeared to be a simple agricultural innovation turned into a thriving ecosystem, generating RM3.6 million in returns from an initial RM300,000 investment—and more importantly, creating jobs for 40 local individuals. “That’s just one project. We’ve successfully funded more than 220 across the country,” added Dr. Sharmila.
The Golden Age of Innovation: Preparing for an Aging Nation
Malaysia’s population is rapidly aging, and by 2050, an estimated 9 million citizens will be above 60. This demographic shift poses immense social and economic challenges — but also an opportunity for innovation.
YIM is currently developing the “Golden STI” initiative, aimed at creating technological solutions tailored for the elderly. These range from assistive devices and digital platforms to innovations that enable seniors to stay economically active.
“Many elderly Malaysians are still healthy and capable of contributing, but they need the right tools and support systems. Through partnerships with local startups, we’re exploring tech that will help them live not just longer, but better lives,” said Dr. Sharmila.
She emphasised that YIM is not just chasing inventions; it’s engineering impact—social, environmental, and economic.
Mission Langkawi: Saving the Gamat Emas
Beyond technology and commercialisation, YIM’s work also touches on environmental sustainability. One of its latest projects involves the revival of the endangered golden sea cucumber, or gamat emas, a species native to Malaysian waters and integral to local medicinal and wellness traditions.
Working in collaboration with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), and academic institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), YIM successfully reintroduced 20 adult and 200 juvenile gamat emas into Langkawi’s marine ecosystem.
“Gamat emas is a national treasure, both biologically and culturally. This project not only contributes to biodiversity but also has economic potential through collagen-based product development,” Dr. Sharmila noted.
The initiative is a model for how science, tradition, and commerce can intersect under a single innovation umbrella.
YIM Unlocks Potential Where It’s Often Overlooked
YIM Trustee Ts. Noor Azmi Mat Said echoed the importance of grassroots innovation during the movie night gathering. “Often, innovators are only thinking about their immediate community. But with the structure and support YIM provides, these solutions can scale and be applied across different regions and demographics,” he said.
He stressed that grassroots innovation is not about rudimentary tools or isolated impact. It’s about solving real problems in real communities—cost-effectively and sustainably.
“Through programmes like MyIS Apprentice, we’re giving students and grassroots inventors not just a stage, but a springboard,” Noor Azmi added.
MyIS Apprentice: Where Young Ideas Become National Assets
The MyIS Apprentice programme is a particularly promising initiative. Aimed at university students, it encourages them to submit their final-year projects with the prospect of receiving up to RM50,000 in innovation development grants. Participation is free, and shortlisted applicants will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for funding and further development.
“It’s a national call to action for young minds. If you’re sitting on a great idea, don’t let it gather dust—let us help you take it to the next level,” Dr. Sharmila urged.
The submission window, originally set between 1 May and 31 May 2025, has now been extended to 15 June, giving more students a chance to take part.
A Culture of Belief: Celebrating Journalists and Innovators
The Mission Impossible movie night was more than a social event—it was a strategic gesture of appreciation to the media and trustees who have played a pivotal role in YIM’s journey. It symbolised the belief that even the most improbable missions can succeed with the right team, vision, and tools.
“Just like in the movie, what we do may seem like Mission Impossible at times. But we’ve shown, project after project, that the impossible is simply something that hasn’t been done yet,” said Dr. Sharmila with a smile.
As YIM continues to champion innovation from the bottom up—be it from the hands of a student, a local entrepreneur, or a traditional fisherman—the agency reinforces its core message: when we believe in ideas and empower the people behind them, even the impossible becomes possible. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
Facebook Comments
Facebook Comments