The Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI) is strengthening IMU University’s research ecosystem through strategic engagement with its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and direct collaboration with researchers across all career stages.

The Institute of Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI) continues to strengthen IMU’s research ecosystem on two key fronts:

• Engaging top research experts and leaders for its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), and
• Prioritising direct dialogue with researchers across all career stages.

Beyond drawing on the expertise of distinguished scholars and industry leaders from the SAB to guide strategic research directions, Prof Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Sulaiman, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), and Prof Winnie Chee, IRDI Director, held insightful discussions with both senior established researchers and early-career academics.

Prof Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Sulaiman stressed the importance of understanding researchers’ core challenges and exploring ways to work efficiently and productively within today’s competitive global research landscape.

Complementing this, Prof Winnie Chee shared practical, actionable strategies to help researchers deliver impactful work and drive IRDI’s exponential growth. These exchanges aim to chart the future trajectory of IMU’s research agenda and resolve real-world obstacles faced by researchers at every level.

This initiative underscores IRDI’s deep recognition of researchers’ talent and expertise, alongside IMU’s unwavering commitment to building strong research capabilities.

By stepping down to ground-level engagement instead of focusing solely on high-level planning, the institution proactively:

• Addresses critical research pain points
• Offering tailored support for early-career researchers
• Empowering seasoned academics to excel in their work

Researchers have shared positive feedback following the sessions:

• Many commended the leadership for creating an open, approachable platform to voice concerns and ideas.
• Early career researchers noted that the guidance and practical tips received have boosted their confidence and clarified their research pathways.
• Senior researchers also expressed appreciation for being heard, stating that the collaborative dialogue fosters a united and motivating environment for collective progress.

Moving forward, IMU University will uphold this people-centric approach to nurture a vibrant, sustainable and high-performing research nationally and internationally.