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| Center For Agro-Technology’s Drive For Commercialization |
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| Since its conception from an act of parliament in 1969 with the primary objective of developing and promoting new and improved appropriate technologies in agriculture, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) has managed to maintain itself at the forefront as the leader in Malaysian Agro-technology. The technologies being produced by the Institute has been serving the country by increasing productivity and efficiency, while modernising the agricultural sector as well as maximising income from farming. Today, MARDI is at the forefront of the development in the biotech industry as it has been identified as one of the Centre-of-Excellence in agricultural biotechnology, under the National Biotechnology Policy. In the Nith Malaysia Plan the government will inject funds of up to RM300 million into the institution to realize the contribution that MARDI may be able to provide the needed technologies to our fledging agriculture sector. | |||||||||
One of the key centers to benefit from the large windfall of research funding would be the Biotechnology Research Center of MARDI (BRCM). Located at the top of a hill overlooking the vast hectares of MARDI under it, the Biotech Research Center building seemed to be the ideal setting for the desert home of a wealthy landowner. On the way up, the roads were lined with various plots used for field trials dotted with a variety of local fruits. More interestingly were several surprisingly secured greenhouses which were found out later to be isolation green houses for biotech plants. However, once inside the building, one would be greeted by a cool sterile setting, with a view through large glass windows of a laboratory buzzing with activity as technicians and scientists pace the floor in their strive for science. On the right is a large exhibition room, showcasing the various pride and joys of the Center, the culmination of much sweat and toil in research. In a corner near the entrance, an inconspicuous glass door bears the sign, Dr. Umi Kalsom Abu Bakar, Director. | |||||||||
| A humble woman dedicated to science and the development of the BRCM, Dr. Umi has been conducting research in MARDI for about 22 years, and in 15 th July 2006 was appointed as Director of the Biotechnology Research Center in MARDI after her predecessor was promoted. Graduating with a Masters from Southern Illinois University in molecular biology in 1985, Dr. Umi returned to the country and began her career up to her stature today as a research officer in MARDI. She later obtained her PhD from University of Nottingham in plant molecular biology in 1995. |
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Dr. Umi Kalsom Abu Bakar
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| “I remember the time I first joined MARDI, I just came back from the US and there was an ad in the newspaper for a molecular biologist with MARDI. At that point in time, I knew that MARDI was dedicating itself into the development of biotechnology and I decided to apply,” she reminisced. “It was daunting at first, as I came out from a non agriculture setting, and didn't really have much experience in agriculture. Moreover, I was the only molecular biologist around, and found it hard to communicate with most people as at that point in time, nobody knew what I was talking about. Only a couple of years later, when we had people coming back with degrees in molecular biology did I begin to have people I could share my science with, and we have been close research companions since.” | |||||||||
 | That spark back in 1985 set off what would be the bonfire that would power MARDI's biotechnological aspirations. Looking around the exhibition room, it was evident that the “investment” has paid off manifold with the shelves and display cases showcasing the recent innovations of the scientists in BRCM as well as various products, which have been commercialized typically in the field of plant, food and diagnostics biotechnology. Among Mardi's earlier breakthroughs are tissue culture and its application in plant breeding and in the production of elite planting materials. Dr Umi Kalsom adds that the BRCM is currently applying cutting-edge research in the area of molecular biology, genetic engineering, bio-processing and diagnostics, with the vision to modernise and transform the agricultural sector. | ||||||||
| “We are currently looking at new trends where we hope to generate partnerships with various companies. From the beginning we have always been generating technologies to benefit target groups. Currently, we hope to place more emphasis on the commercialization process through our commercialization wing, Business Unit, MARDI and MardiTech Corp Sdn. Bhd.,” commented Dr. Umi. “As we now know that research can be spelled into IPs for our researchers, we need to utilize the available mechanisms to implement it and make sure that it is available at full force. We now need to learn how to protect our technology, then opt whether to charge for the transfer of this technology. Only then, would we be able to push our products to new markets while establishing our branding.” | |||||||||
Not one to rest upon her laurels, Dr. Umi still devotes much of her time to her research work despite the various requirements of her from her management position. She is currently involved with plant gene discovery and bioinformatics initiatives in MARDI as well as the Papaya Biotechnology Network of Southeast Asia, a regional initiative among Indonesia , Malaysia , Philippines , Thailand , and Vietnam , organized to address two major constraints to papaya production, the papaya ringspot virus and significant post-harvest losses, while also serving as a regional benchmark in the acceptance and policy-making process of biotech crops. Her passion in biotechnology stems from the strong potential science has to offer in improving the eminence of our society and economy. According to Dr. Umi, “Biotechnology has the potential to provide ways to generate more income for entrepreneurs to drive the growth of local biotechnology industry. We see biotech as a tool in creating more quality products from local agriculture and rich biodiversity. It allows us to produce food that is cheaper, with a higher quality and competitive in the global market. Biotech is the improvement of the process along the value chain of agriculture, from farm to plate.” | |||||||||
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| By K. C. Liew for MABIC | |||||||||
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