MIMOS

MIMOS, formally MIMOS Berhad, is Malaysia's national applied research and development centre. It operates as a strategic agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and is wholly owned by Minister of Finance Incorporated, making it a government-linked research organisation rather than a conventional consumer brand. Its work is directed toward building Malaysian technological capability, transferring research into industry, and supporting national economic and digital-development priorities. The organisation originated from concerns in the early 1980s that Malaysia was a major exporter of electrical and electronic goods but had limited ownership of the product designs, brands and intellectual property behind that manufacturing activity. Malaysian academics, including engineering and science leaders from several public universities, developed the idea of a dedicated microelectronics research institute. A concept paper was presented to the Prime Minister in August 1984, and the Cabinet approved the proposal on 17 October 1984. MIMOS began operating on 1 January 1985 as the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems, initially as a unit of the Prime Minister's Department. During its first decades, MIMOS combined technology research with national digital-infrastructure and policy roles. It helped introduce computer networking and Internet services to Malaysia through the RangKom project and later JARING, the country's first Internet service provider. It also worked with the Ministry of Education on computer-assisted learning, established or supported initiatives in cybersecurity and digital certification, and served as the secretariat of the National IT Council during the 1990s. Through that policy role, it contributed to the development of the framework associated with Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor. MIMOS expanded its semiconductor capabilities through research wafer-fabrication facilities. In 1997 it commissioned Fab 1 for research and limited production using 1.0 micrometre digital CMOS technology on six-inch wafers. That year it designed Pesona, described in reference material as Malaysia's first locally developed integrated circuit: a 16-bit RISC microprocessor. A later Fab 2 capability used 0.5 micrometre CMOS technology and eight-inch wafers. These facilities supported experimentation, prototyping and technology transfer rather than positioning MIMOS as a mass-market chip manufacturer. The organisation also commercialised selected research outputs through subsidiaries, joint ventures and business units. Examples included DIGICERT, a certification-authority venture; MIMOS Smart Computing, which supplied personal computers and hardware; iVEST, a secure communications and transactions platform; and Encipta, a venture-capital vehicle. From 2006 to 2010, MIMOS disposed of interests in several such businesses as it refocused its corporate mission on applied research and technology development. Today, MIMOS describes its research around areas including semiconductors and thin films, embedded systems, manufacturing technologies and smart-nation technologies. Its broader technology work has included wireless platforms, data analytics, cryptography, digital inclusion, micro-energy and psychometrics. The organisation reports more than 2,000 patent filings across technology domains and socioeconomic application areas. Its strategic purpose is to help Malaysian companies and public institutions adopt locally developed technology, move into higher-value activities and compete in international markets.

MIMOS was conceived in response to Malaysia's dependence on imported designs and technology despite its strength as an exporter of electrical and electronic products. In the early 1980s, academics from the University of Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia discussed the need for an institute that could build domestic microelectronics expertise and create original products. A concept paper was submitted to the Prime Minister in August 1984, and the Cabinet approved the formation of the institute on 17 October 1984. Operations officially began on 1 January 1985 under the name Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems. The initial organisation was small and worked from premises in Kuala Lumpur. In 1987 it managed RangKom, an early computer-network project that helped introduce Internet connectivity to Malaysia. Its activities subsequently expanded into education technology, policy development, telecommunications and technology commercialisation. In 1989 MIMOS worked with the Ministry of Education on the Education Integrated Computer programme and COMIL, a Malay-language educational tool. MIMOS moved under the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment in 1990. RangKom evolved into an Internet service offering, and JARING was launched in 1992 as Malaysia's first ISP. In 1994 MIMOS became secretariat to the National IT Council, chaired by the Prime Minister. This gave it a role in national ICT policy and in the development of the Multimedia Super Corridor framework. Construction of its complex at Technology Park Malaysia began in 1994 and was completed in 1995. MIMOS Berhad was incorporated in 1996 under the Ministry of Finance with responsibilities spanning research and development, national IT policy and business development. During this period it organised technology events, expanded its networking work and developed semiconductor infrastructure. In 1997 it commissioned Fab 1 and designed the Pesona 16-bit RISC microprocessor. It also upgraded JARING connectivity and helped establish the Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team. Fab 2 was developed in 2002 for more advanced CMOS work using eight-inch wafers. From the late 1990s through the early 2000s, MIMOS created or participated in a range of commercial ventures. These included DIGICERT, MIMOS Smart Computing, iVEST, OICnetworks, Encipta and other subsidiaries or associates. The initiatives covered digital certificates, secure online transactions, personal computers, international network exchange, venture investment and sector-specific electronic services. MIMOS also developed Cikgu.net for educators, VoIP services through JARING, IPv6 capabilities, computer-forensics services, rural digital-inclusion projects and the AgriBazaar platform. In 2003 the National IT Council secretariat function was transferred to another ministry, and MIMOS was instructed to focus on research. Some commercial activities continued while the organisation pursued monetisation and technology transfer, but between 2006 and 2010 it disposed of interests in multiple subsidiaries and associated businesses. Abdul Wahab Abdullah became president and chief executive officer in 2006 and promoted a strategy centred on premier applied research, industrial competitiveness and movement up the value chain. The late 2000s brought further work in affordable computing, wireless systems and analytics. MIMOS introduced the Makcik PC prototype in 2007, the Jen-ii desktop computer in 2008, the first generation of iDOLA mobile computers in 2008 and the MIMOS WiWi platform in 2009. It also added Advanced Data Analytics and Modelling to its core technology areas and achieved Capability Maturity Model Integration Level 5. In 2011, its 25th-anniversary year, MIMOS added micro-energy and psychometrics to its technology portfolio, received laboratory accreditation under Malaysia's national accreditation scheme and was identified as Malaysia's leading Patent Cooperation Treaty applicant. Its continuing role is to conduct applied research, develop intellectual property and help public and private-sector partners commercialise technology relevant to Malaysia's economic and social objectives.

• 2011

  25th anniversary and expanded research portfolio

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  MIMOS marked its 25th anniversary, added micro-energy and psychometrics to its core areas and received laboratory accreditation.

• 2006

  Applied-research strategy is strengthened

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  Abdul Wahab Abdullah became president and CEO and pursued MIMOS's development as a premier applied research centre.

• 2002

  Fab 2 capability is established

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  MIMOS developed an industry-grade fabrication capability using 0.5 micrometre CMOS technology and eight-inch wafers.

• 1997

  Pesona and Fab 1

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  MIMOS commissioned its first wafer-fabrication facility and designed the Pesona 16-bit RISC microprocessor.

• 1996

  MIMOS Berhad is incorporated

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  The organisation was incorporated under the Ministry of Finance with research, policy and business-development functions.

• 1992

  JARING launches

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  MIMOS launched Malaysia's first Internet service provider.

• 1985

  MIMOS begins operations

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  MIMOS began as a unit under the Prime Minister's Department.

• 1984

  Cabinet approves the institute

  [1]MIMOSen.wikipedia.org

  The Malaysian Cabinet approved the proposal to establish a dedicated microelectronics research institute.

A national applied-research and technology-transfer institution that develops strategic capabilities for Malaysia's semiconductor, microelectronics, ICT, manufacturing and smart-nation sectors.

• Internet service · 1992

  JARING

  JARING was MIMOS's Internet service initiative and became Malaysia's first Internet service provider when launched in 1992. It later introduced services including IP-VPN connectivity and VoIP. JARING represented MIMOS's early contribution to national Internet infrastructure before the organisation concentrated more strongly on applied research.

• Microprocessor and integrated circuit · 1997

  Pesona

  Pesona was a 16-bit RISC microprocessor designed by MIMOS and presented as Malaysia's first locally developed integrated circuit. Its development demonstrated the organisation's objective of moving beyond electronics assembly toward domestic design, semiconductor research and ownership of technology intellectual property.

• Secure communications and transactions platform · 1999

  iVEST

  iVEST was an end-to-end platform for secure Internet communication and electronic commerce. MIMOS launched it in 1999 and later adapted its security capabilities for applications including MyKad public-key infrastructure. It was among the research outputs that MIMOS sought to commercialise through dedicated business structures.

• Wireless technology platform · 2009

  MIMOS WiWi

  MIMOS WiWi was a wireless technology platform introduced as part of the organisation's communications and connectivity research. It reflected MIMOS's effort to develop locally relevant wireless capabilities alongside its semiconductor, embedded-systems and smart-nation work.

• Personal computing prototypes and devices · 2007

  Makcik PC, Jen-ii and iDOLA

  MIMOS developed a series of affordable-computing concepts, beginning with the Makcik PC prototype in 2007, followed by the Jen-ii desktop computer and the iDOLA mobile-computer line. These projects explored ways to make computing more accessible while demonstrating locally developed design and systems-integration capabilities.

• 2011MIMOS 25th anniversary

  Malaysia

  MIMOS conducted a year-long anniversary programme highlighting its technology history, institutional role and contribution to Malaysia's innovation ecosystem.

  Outcome. The programme included a main event attended by government representatives, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and members of MIMOS's pioneer management team.

  Source
• 2003Titian Digital

  Malaysia

  Titian Digital was developed under the Bridging the Digital Divide programme. Its first test site in Kampung Pamah Kulat, Pahang, used MIMOS-developed digital tools to extend access and services to a rural community.

  Outcome. The initial test site was launched, providing a model for rural digital inclusion.

  Source

• 2003

  Refocus on research and developmentStrategy

  Background

  MIMOS had accumulated policy, infrastructure and commercial functions, including subsidiaries and business ventures.

  Action taken

  After the National IT Council secretariat role moved to another ministry, MIMOS was directed to concentrate on R&D and gradually separate business operations from its corporate structure.

  Aftermath

  The organisation strengthened its applied-research identity while continuing to commercialise selected outputs. Several business interests were later disposed of between 2006 and 2010.

  Source

• 1997

  Development of the Pesona microprocessorProduct launch

  Background

  Malaysia sought to build domestic semiconductor design and research capability rather than remain primarily an electronics manufacturing base.

  Action taken

  MIMOS designed the Pesona 16-bit RISC microprocessor and commissioned Fab 1 for related research and limited production.

  Aftermath

  The project became a prominent demonstration of Malaysian semiconductor design capability.

  Source

1. 1MIMOSen.wikipedia.org