Putrajaya, Malaysia – The Malaysian university, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (The Energy University) UNITEN and its commercialisation arm, URND Sdn. Bhd., and the Singaporean company AirGo Design Pte Ltd are officially acknowledging collaboration on technology commercialisation, fundraising and venture building in the focus area of drone logistics industry. UNITEN is considered one of the most successful private universities (owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) – the largest power company in Southeast Asia with an estimated USD 24 billion worth assets) in the ASEAN region, especially in power management and mechatronics engineering, while AirGo Design is well-known for its innovative lightweight fibre-reinforced composite component/product development solutions. The objective of this partnership is to strategize on joint-technology development, product adaptation/integration, IP licensing, joint promotion and fundraising, and all other aspects in the commercialisation process.
To extend their global reach, UNITEN-URND Sdn. Bhd., and AirGo Design Pte Ltd have agreed to collaborate via the Drone Logistics Ecosystem (DLE) which includes other members in the drone delivery and logistic industries.
At the virtual partnership MoU signing ceremony on 9th of September 2021 was attended and witness by,
From UNITEN, represented by Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, (Vice-Chancellor), witnessed by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Siti Salbiah Mohammed Shariff, (Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Research). And from UNITEN. URND Sdn. Bhd. represented by Prof. Ir. Dr. Kumaran Palanisamy (Managing Director), witnessed by Ms. Biruntha Mooruthi (Chief Commercial Officer).From AirGo Design and Drone Logistics Ecosystem, Dr. Ali Jahanshahi, (Chief Operation Officer, Managing Director of the Drone Logistics Ecosystem), witnessed by Mr. Maziar Jahanshahi (Chief Executive Officer /Chairman of Boards of AirGo Design).
Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (The Energy University), Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, said, “This MoU signing represents the cooperation that will benefit the parties involved and our communities through collaborative research and commercialisation that hoped to result in strategic collaboration between UNITEN and both parties. This partnership will foster a dynamic environment for UNITEN in strengthening its international collaborative network, facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange and intellectual properties through applied research,”
Co-founder and COO of AirGo Design Pte Ltd, Dr. Ali Jahanshahi said, “Successful commercialisation processes in the rapidly emerging Advanced Air Mobility industry requires close collaboration between the Industry, Universities, Government/Regulators and the investor community. The partnership between AirGo and UNITEN-URND is first of its kind in Southeast Asia in the e-air mobility and we are hoping to create a fast-track commercialisation model for others to follow.”
Managing Director of URND Sdn. Bhd Prof. Ir. Dr. Kumaran Palanisamy, said, “Being one of the pioneer members in the Drone Logistics Ecosystem, this partnership will be a good amalgamation of university-industry collaboration in research, development and commercialisation (R&D&C). This collaboration will further encourage open innovation and accelerate technology licensing among members of the Drone Logistics Ecosystem in various disciplines related to Industry 4.0 where UNITEN is well-positioned to provide the right research capabilities and consultancy.”
