UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) has officially bridged a connection with Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to give mutual benefits for both parties in the area of research and development on bamboo composite products in the years to come. This intent was ascertained during a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony held on May 18, 2010 at FRIM, Kepong. The main objective of this collaboration is to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in investigation research on bamboo composite products for potential utilization in aviation industries.

“Bamboo helicopter has been made and used in Costa Rica. Having said so, this MOU will surely give us an opportunity to explore on ways to invent something that is similar to that”, said Dato’ Dr. Abd Latif Mohmod, Director General of Forest Research Institute Malaysia. “Furthermore, Malaysia has a total of 70 bamboo species, and Semantan Bamboo, which can only be found in our country, is one of the best among all.”, he added.

MoU signing between FRIM and UniKL by Dato’ Dr. Abd Latif Mohmod (left) of FRIM and Prof. Dr. Mohamad Azemi Mohd Noor of UniKL

Meanwhile, UniKL believed that this collaboration will give a big boost to its research and development especially in UniKL MIAT. According to Prof. Dr. Mohamad Azemi Mohd Noor, Deputy President (Technology & Academic) of UniKL, this collaboration is in line with our Prime Minister’s insight, which is to exert on Green innovation. “This is good news for both sides. We are on the right track in moving up this nation to another level”, he said.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Ahmad Zahir Mokhtar, Dean of UniKL MIAT while Dr. Shamsudin Ibrahim represented FRIM.

Exchanging documents

Prof. Dr. Mohamad Azemi Mohd Noor asking some questions during his visit to FRIM's Gallery