Kuala Lampur, July 16 -- Malaysia boasts ambitious national goals: a high-income economy, technological leadership, and sustainable development. Our universities, repositories of significant talent and public funding, are crucial engines for driving this progress.

Yet, a persistent and critical chasm separates the brilliant research emerging from our labs from tangible products, services, and economic impact in the marketplace. This research-to-market gap isn't just an academic concern; it's a national economic imperative we can no longer afford to ignore.

Walk through the labs of any leading Malaysian university, and you'll find world-class researchers tackling challenges in advanced materials, medical diagnostics, sustainable agricult...