Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) continues to expand the commercialisation of research outcomes through the signing of a licensing agreement with Recove Sdn. Bhd. for a medical innovation product.
The agreement was signed in conjunction with the closing ceremony of the Sabah leg of the Borneo Festival of Ideas (BFOI) 2026 at Dewan Seri Sulaman, Tuaran, recently.
The licensing agreement was signed by UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly on behalf of UMS, and Recove Sdn. Bhd. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ir. Ts. Abdul Rahman Bahasa on behalf of the company.
According to Rosalam, the agreement involves an innovation product resulting from research by Dr. Mohamed Arif Hameed Sultan, a general surgeon from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), UMS.
“The innovation is a portable diathermy device developed for use in circumcision procedures and has the potential to be further developed for the industrial and commercial markets.
“BFOI emphasises the entire innovation development chain, beginning with identifying local problems, generating ideas and developing solutions, followed by intellectual property protection and commercialisation opportunities.
“The signing of this licensing agreement demonstrates how university research outcomes can be translated into applications with the potential to be further developed together with industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Appointed Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN), Datuk Abdul Kassim Razali when officiating the closing ceremony said, the programme is aligned with the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 in empowering human capital, strengthening research and innovation, and creating new economic opportunities based on knowledge and technology.
He added that the programme was expected to serve as a catalyst for more home-grown innovations capable of addressing community issues, being commercialised, and gaining recognition at the national and international levels.
The programme, jointly organised by UMS and the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), themed “Cetus Idea, Cipta Masa Depan” (Ignite Ideas, Create the Future), showcased nearly 800 innovations from various groups throughout the BFOI 2026 tour.
The number of innovations reflects the strong potential for creativity and innovation among the people of Sabah, while highlighting opportunities for local ideas to be developed into solutions that benefit the community.
Also present were IDS Chief Executive Officer, Professor Datuk Dr. Ramzah Dambul; Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) Deputy Permanent Secretary II, Moira David; Tuaran Assistant District Officer (Development), Siti Arnizah Rumsani; UMS Registrar, Luqman Ridha Anwar; and Ministry of Local Government and Housing of Sabah’s Assistant Secretary (Administration), Johnny Samson.
