Select Page

IP & Innovation Roadshow Empowers STEM with Intellectual Property Insights

by | Aug 14, 2025 | FS Research Month 2025

Johor Bahru, 14 August 2025 – The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), hosted the IP & Innovation Roadshow: Intellectual Property for STEM Module – Workshop and Sharing Session, featuring Dr. Nina Diana binti Nawi as the keynote speaker. The session, held at UTM Helixs, C17, was part of Research Month@FS 2025 and attracted academics, researchers, and educators keen to explore the intersections of intellectual property (IP), innovation, and STEM education.

Dr. Nina Diana, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology, UTM, and an affiliate of the Young Scientist Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM), has dedicated her career to advancing STEM and physics education, curriculum innovation, and sustainability. With over 30 awards and recognitions, her work bridges research, teaching, and community initiatives, making her an influential figure in environmental education and innovative pedagogy.

Her contributions include impactful educational resources such as the Combat Plastic Pollution Infographic Booklet, SDG x Low Carbon Game Card, and Wira TIndakan Iklim Infographic Booklet. Beyond academia, she has led consultancy projects exceeding RM1.2 million, empowering teachers, students, and communities to embrace low-carbon practices and sustainability initiatives.

During the roadshow, Dr. Nina introduced participants to the fundamentals of intellectual property, its significance in STEM education, and practical strategies for protecting and commercializing innovative teaching modules. The session covered:

  • Introduction to IP – understanding copyrights, patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and trade secrets.

  • IP in STEM Education – why IP matters for teaching modules, curriculum design, and student projects.

  • Protection Strategies – when and how to safeguard ideas before disclosure to the public.

  • Case Studies & Scenario Analysis – real-life examples of how IP shapes research, innovation, and commercialization.

  • Mini-Activity – an interactive exercise allowing participants to apply IP concepts in STEM-related contexts.

Dr. Nina highlighted that protecting IP is not only crucial for safeguarding original works but also for advancing academic reputation, unlocking funding opportunities, and contributing to Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem. She emphasized UTM’s pathway with MyIPO and the role of the Innovation & Commercialization Centre (ICC) in guiding researchers toward IP registration and commercialization.

This workshop reinforced the importance of intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation in education. By integrating IP awareness into STEM learning, educators and students are better equipped to create sustainable solutions, foster entrepreneurship, and support Malaysia’s Dasar Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi Negara (DSTIN).

For more updates on Faculty of Science research initiatives, visit: https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch/

Here are some key points extracted from the IP STEM Module:

📌 Intellectual Property (IP) Basics

  • IP protects intangible assets like ideas, inventions, creative works, and brand names.

  • Types of IP relevant to STEM:

    • Copyright – protects original works (e.g., STEM modules, lesson plans, training videos).

    • Patent – protects new inventions with industrial application (e.g., teaching devices).

    • Industrial Design – protects shape/configuration (e.g., science kit casing).

    • Trademark – protects symbols, names, logos (e.g., STEM program logo).

    • Trade Secret – protects confidential methods (e.g., unique teaching methodology).

📌 Why Protect IP?

  • Provides legal protection and prevents exploitation.

  • Strengthens academic reputation and contributes to KPI (research & innovation).

  • A requirement for many research grants, partnerships, and commercialization efforts.

  • Generates revenue through licensing/selling, with UTM revenue-sharing policies.

  • Contributes to national innovation goals (DSTIN, National IP Policy).

📌 When to Protect IP?

  • Before public disclosure (journals, conferences, exhibitions).

  • After proof-of-concept, but prior to industry discussions or competitions.

  • In Malaysia, novelty may be lost if disclosed without NDA.

📌 How to File IP (UTM → MyIPO Pathway)

  1. Identify IP-worthy work via novelty search and discussion with UTM ICC.

  2. Submit Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) through ICC portal.

  3. Evaluation by ICC – novelty, market potential, commercialization.

  4. File application with MyIPO (patent, copyright, design, etc.).

  5. Examination process – clarifications may be requested.

📌 STEM Education & IP

  • Emphasizes creativity, innovation, and inclusivity.

  • Uses digital + traditional methods for better engagement.

  • Promotes self-directed learning, problem-solving, and sustainability awareness.

  • Supports national goals like SDGs, low carbon framework, and circular economy.

 

Dr. Nina Diana binti Nawi