UKM Pakar Perunding the Silent catalyst

that shape the future.

BANGI, 22 Oct. 2010 - UKM Pakar Perunding (UPP) is the catalyst

behind the research of environmental impact of tourism in Tasik Chini.

This extensive and ongoing research was commissioned by the East

Economic Region is safeguard and implement measures for
conservation.

In particular carrying out rehabilitation and conservation of Tasik Chini

State Park, Pekan, Pahang to preserve the country’s environmental
heritage.

This project is one of numerous high impact project commissioned to

UPP. According to the Chief Executive Officer of UPP Mirza Safri
Safuan UPP capabilities transcend political borders.

“We have the expertise and know how to conduct research locally and
internationally, we have carried out research projects in countries like
Qatar and China.,” said Mirza

Some of the research that have been facilitated by PPU has been used
as a reference point for implementing government policy and help
companies to anticipate their future direction.

High impact research

Among the final products of UPP efforts are numerous Master Plan used
by state and federal governments such as Archeological Master Plan of
Research in Lembah Bujang commissioned by the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment , The National Integrity Institute which
stems from National Integrity Plan a study done for the Anti Corruption
Agency and Research on graduate unemployment in Malaysia a study
commissioned by National Economic Advisory Council .

It is an inside job

Though it has facilitated numerous high impact research, but their good
work usually goes unnoticed.

“The reason we do not publicise every time we won a bid for a high
impact project is to protect to our client, we are bound by confidentiality
and have to keep everything under wraps no matter how big is the
discovery,” said Mirza

Confidentiality is crucial to ensure that the research findings made are

independent and objective.

Analogically, they are like the people who works in intelligence gathering
operations, we don’t really know who they are and who they would
recruit but they get the job done.

A client would come to them and explain their requirement, UPP will
select the best experts for the job and connect them with the client. The
experts then would go to work silently away from media spotlight.
Most of the time the expert findings is used to formulate policies or
strategy that will determine the future direction of an industry.

Research on demand
What is the difference of research done by researchers in a university
with research which is commissioned to consulting agency like PPU?

The answer is direct benefit and impact to the public in the shortest time
possible. The research finding will be used to form policies and
implemented by the government or industry and will have direct impact
to society at large.

“The research that we facilitated usually stems from the demand the
immediate demand from the market, they needed to do something and
we provide the experts that will ensure that they make an informed
decision,” said Mirza.

Normal research no matter how ground breaking is the findings, has to

go through layers of layers of protocols and procedure before it can
create impact.

One perfect example, is the discovery of a drug called DCA which is a

potential cure for . The findings was made by Dr Evangelos Michelakis
from the University of Alberta face inadequate funding.

DCA is does not have patent on it, it is an old drug like a 18th century
book which has no longer have any copyrights. This issue of ownership
make pharmaceutical companies shy away from investing in clinical
trials. As a result the research comes to a standstill.

A research which is done through UPP normally will not encounter this
kind of perplexing problem. It is research which is demanded by the
industry players and stakeholders for a specific purpose.
Yet Mirza believe that that any kind of research is important for the
future development of a society.

“Normal research by researchers as part of their work very significant

and but when researchers join hands with industry players, it will give
them an added advantage,” said Mirza.

As for researchers giving their expertise to the industry may take them
away from the job they love; their own research. But it does give them
the network required to gain industrial funding.