Powering the Future with Technology

Application Invitation to the Upskilling Grant for Aerospace and Medical Devices Industries

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Find out how Malaysia is
'Bridging Technology for Our Shared Tomorrow' through the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).

The Edge speaks to CREST and MIMOS on what’s in store for Malaysia’s E&E industry.

The CREST Story

Catalyst for Malaysia’s Technology Ecosystem since 2012

CREST'S Unfinished Business

Over the past 10 years, CREST has facilitated the approval of Malaysian Government grants for 161 collaborative R&D projects which are scrutinised by its Board of Directors to ensure industry relevance.

Application Invitation to the Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry (ETSI) Program

Technology Clusters

Leading the Way in
Research & Innovation

We bring together the best and brightest minds in the industry, working tirelessly to develop and deliver the latest cutting-edge technologies.

Cluster Programs

Discover the
Next-Gen Solutions

Our Cluster Programs projects bring together industry, academia, and government to create vibrant innovation ecosystems that foster growth and sustainability.

Key Statistics at a Glance

191

R&D Projects Approved

122

R&D Projects Completed

124

CREST Members

15

Companies at CREST Place @Penang

CREST’s Contextual Research Culture Drives Impactful Solutions

“In bringing about such collaborations, CREST has created a new research culture whereby scientists must now engage with industries to solve industrial problems. I always emphasize that research must be in context. If you lose that context, research will not be as meaningful and impactful as it should be.”

Professor Dr. Zaidi Mohd Ripin

Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering and Head of TheVibrationLab, Universiti Sains Malaysia

“To produce a world-class dish, you need the right ingredients and a good chef. In the context of Collaborative R&D, CREST has shown us that it is possible for our local chefs to churn out world-class dishes using local materials in a local kitchen. That is a success story that more people should hear about.”

T.K. Tan

Managing Director of Clarion Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

“CREST has been instrumental in facilitating Collaborative R&D projects and serving as a catalyst for industry-academia collaborations. Sometimes, it’s not as simple as bringing the industry and the academia together, but also serving as a bridge for funding and matching the right parties together. CREST has played its role well.”

Goon Koon Yin

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of TT Vision Holdings Berhad

“Everybody understands that CREST operates neutrally. It does not have a hidden agenda, and therefore, it has established itself as a go-to place for the industry. If you want to do R&D together with universities, involve CREST. Because that is the most efficient way to get it done.”

Dr. David Lacey

Director of Advanced Development & Services, R&D, of ams OSRAM Group

“We were a CREST incubatee. We started in the rented CREST collaboration area. Over the years, we received great collaborative support and mentorship from CREST. I truly appreciate and recognise CREST’s efforts, especially in the Penang semiconductor industry.”

Cheah Hun Wah

Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Oppstar Technology Berhad

Our Founding Members
& Ex-Officio

Meet the people behind our success.

News

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CREST and HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation have launched the Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry (ETSI) Program under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to power Malaysia’s rise as a global semiconductor hub. Anchored by Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and Kementerian Sumber Manusia, ETSI builds talent across the value chain, equipping students, graduates, and professionals with critical skills in design, R&D, and advanced technologies. 

Strengthened by MoUs with the Consortium of Electrical and Electronic of Malaysian Universities (CEE), Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre CEDEC Universiti Teknologi MARA - Media Rasmi and PSDC, the program deepens industry–academia collaboration and nurtures a future-ready talent pipeline. 

We value the leadership of Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and the collaboration of HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation, the Consortium of Electrical and Electronic of Malaysian Universities (CEE), Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre CEDEC Universiti Teknologi MARA - Media Rasmi and PSDC,— whose commitment is shaping world-class talent and securing Malaysia’s place on the global stage.

#CrestMalaysia #Semiconductor #NSS #NationalSemiconductorStrategy #TalentDevelopment #Collaboration #FutureOfWork #SkillsForTomorrow #InnovationImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

CREST and HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation have launched the Engineering Talent for Semiconductor Industry (ETSI) Program under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to power Malaysia’s rise as a global semiconductor hub. Anchored by Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and Kementerian Sumber Manusia, ETSI builds talent across the value chain, equipping students, graduates, and professionals with critical skills in design, R&D, and advanced technologies.

Strengthened by MoUs with the Consortium of Electrical and Electronic of Malaysian Universities (CEE), Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre CEDEC Universiti Teknologi MARA - Media Rasmi and PSDC, the program deepens industry–academia collaboration and nurtures a future-ready talent pipeline.

We value the leadership of Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and the collaboration of HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation, the Consortium of Electrical and Electronic of Malaysian Universities (CEE), Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre CEDEC Universiti Teknologi MARA - Media Rasmi and PSDC,— whose commitment is shaping world-class talent and securing Malaysia’s place on the global stage.

#CrestMalaysia #Semiconductor #NSS #NationalSemiconductorStrategy #TalentDevelopment #Collaboration #FutureOfWork #SkillsForTomorrow #Innovation
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August 27th
CREST’s Dr. Shahrul Yazid Yahaya recently joined the Industry/Community Advisory Panel at Universiti Sains Malaysias School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. During the panel discussion, he highlighted pressing R&D talent challenges in the semiconductor sector locally and globally and the importance of university–industry collaboration in shaping the next generation of innovators.

Thank you, Universiti Sains Malaysia for leading this vital conversation.

#CRESTMalaysia #USMMalaysia #ResearchAndDevelopment #Semiconductor #Collaboration #TalentDevelopmentImage attachmentImage attachment

CREST’s Dr. Shahrul Yazid Yahaya recently joined the Industry/Community Advisory Panel at Universiti Sains Malaysia's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. During the panel discussion, he highlighted pressing R&D talent challenges in the semiconductor sector locally and globally and the importance of university–industry collaboration in shaping the next generation of innovators.

Thank you, Universiti Sains Malaysia for leading this vital conversation.

#CRESTMalaysia #USMMalaysia #ResearchAndDevelopment #Semiconductor #Collaboration #TalentDevelopment
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August 25th
Bridging Academia and Industry for Malaysia’s Future

Yesterday, our CEO Mr. Jaffri Ibrahim had the pleasure of hosting the UTP x CREST Strategic Collaboration Workshop at our Penang office.

The workshop brought together Universiti Teknologi Petronas - Main Page — a proud CREST Core Member since 2017 — and our team for an open, forward-looking discussion on how both organisations can shape impactful programmes together.

From setting the vision in his opening remarks, Mr. Jaffri steered the workshop with a clear focus: identify meaningful areas of collaboration that will create value for talent, research, and industry in Malaysia.

Some key takeaways:
✅ Exploring Talent Development programs and future-proofing skills.
✅ Strengthening Collaborative R&D with shared expertise.
✅ Pinpointing strategic initiatives that can be scaled with structured programmes.

“Malaysia has the right ingredients to be a global player in advanced technologies — but the key is collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with partners like UTP, we are not only building talent, but also shaping the future of innovation and investment for our nation.” — Jaffri Ibrahim, CEO of CREST

This workshop with UTP is just one of many steps in our journey to create an ecosystem where talent thrives, innovation accelerates, and industry investment grows.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners at UTP under the leadership of Prof Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar for the commitment and collaborative spirit. Exciting times are ahead!

#CRESTMalaysia #UTP #StrategicCollaboration #AcademiaIndustry #TalentDevelopment #Semiconductor #InnovationEcosystemImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

Bridging Academia and Industry for Malaysia’s Future

Yesterday, our CEO Mr. Jaffri Ibrahim had the pleasure of hosting the UTP x CREST Strategic Collaboration Workshop at our Penang office.

The workshop brought together Universiti Teknologi Petronas - Main Page — a proud CREST Core Member since 2017 — and our team for an open, forward-looking discussion on how both organisations can shape impactful programmes together.

From setting the vision in his opening remarks, Mr. Jaffri steered the workshop with a clear focus: identify meaningful areas of collaboration that will create value for talent, research, and industry in Malaysia.

Some key takeaways:
✅ Exploring Talent Development programs and future-proofing skills.
✅ Strengthening Collaborative R&D with shared expertise.
✅ Pinpointing strategic initiatives that can be scaled with structured programmes.

“Malaysia has the right ingredients to be a global player in advanced technologies — but the key is collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with partners like UTP, we are not only building talent, but also shaping the future of innovation and investment for our nation.” — Jaffri Ibrahim, CEO of CREST

This workshop with UTP is just one of many steps in our journey to create an ecosystem where talent thrives, innovation accelerates, and industry investment grows.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners at UTP under the leadership of Prof Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar for the commitment and collaborative spirit. Exciting times are ahead!

#CRESTMalaysia #UTP #StrategicCollaboration #AcademiaIndustry #TalentDevelopment #Semiconductor #InnovationEcosystem
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August 22nd
Inaugural ribbon-cutting at AMD’s gleaming new 209,000 sq ft office and engineering lab at GBS by the Sea, Bayan Lepas. CREST CEO Jaffri Ibrahim joined senior executives from AMD, alongside representatives from InvestPenang, Malaysian Investment Development Authority - MIDA, and Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow 曹觀友, to celebrate the facility’s launch. The modern workspace and cutting-edge labs—designed to support 1,200+ employees—will bolster Penang’s leadership in next-generation high-performance, adaptive, and AI-driven computing development.

Since its establishment in 2012, CREST has been a key catalyst in fortifying Penang’s E&E (Electrical & Electronics) ecosystem. From its earliest days, CREST united industry players—such as AMD among its founding members—with public universities to drive impactful collaborative R&D. Over the years, CREST and AMD have contributed hand in hand to nurturing talent pipelines, elevating R&D capabilities, and cementing Penang’s status as a global semiconductor and innovation hub.

#CRESTMalaysia #NSS #MalaysiaSemiconductor #EandEIndustry #SemiconHub #AMDImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

Inaugural ribbon-cutting at AMD’s gleaming new 209,000 sq ft office and engineering lab at GBS by the Sea, Bayan Lepas. CREST CEO Jaffri Ibrahim joined senior executives from AMD, alongside representatives from InvestPenang, Malaysian Investment Development Authority - MIDA, and Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow 曹觀友, to celebrate the facility’s launch. The modern workspace and cutting-edge labs—designed to support 1,200+ employees—will bolster Penang’s leadership in next-generation high-performance, adaptive, and AI-driven computing development.

Since its establishment in 2012, CREST has been a key catalyst in fortifying Penang’s E&E (Electrical & Electronics) ecosystem. From its earliest days, CREST united industry players—such as AMD among its founding members—with public universities to drive impactful collaborative R&D. Over the years, CREST and AMD have contributed hand in hand to nurturing talent pipelines, elevating R&D capabilities, and cementing Penang’s status as a global semiconductor and innovation hub.

#CRESTMalaysia #NSS #MalaysiaSemiconductor #EandEIndustry #SemiconHub #AMD
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August 15th
Were thrilled to announce that CREST is the official ecosystem partner for the upcoming 2nd Annual Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia Week 2025, on 11-12 September that convenes industry leaders, government stakeholders, investors, and technology innovators from across ASEAN, with the purpose of propelling the Advanced Manufacturing sector towards Sustainable Industry 5.0.

✅ HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation Claimable (For Malaysia-Based Companies)
 Take advantage of HRD Corp’s support to join AIM Asia Week 2025 as part of your talent development and capability-building initiatives:
✔️ Fully claimable VIP delegate passes under HRD Corp for Malaysian companies 
 ✔️ Showcase & exhibition opportunities available under selected claimable packages
 ✔️ Access to cutting-edge insights and cross-border collaboration strategies
 ✔️ Minimal out-of-pocket cost while enhancing your teams readiness for Industry 5.0
 ✔️ AIM Asia Team will assist with HRD application and documentation end-to-end

✅ Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Do you have the cutting-edge solutions to address the challenges in the manufacturing sector? If so, this might be a strategic platform for you to:
 ✔️ Demonstrate your solutions to a regional audience
 ✔️ Build visibility and brand credibility
 ✔️ Engage in cross-border collaboration and market access dialogues
 ✔️ Position your company at the forefront of industrial transformation

Be part of the movement driving Malaysia’s leadership in Advanced Manufacturing and Sustainable Industry 5.0.

📩 For HRD application and showcase opportunities, contact: AIMASIA@HASHTAQS.COM | +65 9105 1051 (SG) | +6011 1616 3281 (MY) 

 🔗 For more info: https://advancedmanufacturingasia.com/

For more updates, follow Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia on social media:
Facebook: Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia 
LinkedIn: Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia

#CRESTMalaysia #AIMAsia #advancedmanufacturing  #deeptechinnovation #AIMAsiaWeek2025 #AdvancedInnovation #Manufacturing #Innovation #Industry5Point0 #Sustainability #InnovationLeadership #technology #innovation #strategies #futureofmanufacturing #growth #businesstransformation #hrdclaimable #Sustainability #InnovationLeadership #technology #innovation #strategies #futureofmanufacturing #growth #businesstransformationImage attachment

We're thrilled to announce that CREST is the official ecosystem partner for the upcoming 2nd Annual Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia Week 2025, on 11-12 September that convenes industry leaders, government stakeholders, investors, and technology innovators from across ASEAN, with the purpose of propelling the Advanced Manufacturing sector towards Sustainable Industry 5.0.

HRD Corp - Human Resource Development Corporation Claimable (For Malaysia-Based Companies)
Take advantage of HRD Corp’s support to join AIM Asia Week 2025 as part of your talent development and capability-building initiatives:
✔️ Fully claimable VIP delegate passes under HRD Corp for Malaysian companies
✔️ Showcase & exhibition opportunities available under selected claimable packages
✔️ Access to cutting-edge insights and cross-border collaboration strategies
✔️ Minimal out-of-pocket cost while enhancing your team's readiness for Industry 5.0
✔️ AIM Asia Team will assist with HRD application and documentation end-to-end

✅ Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities
Do you have the cutting-edge solutions to address the challenges in the manufacturing sector? If so, this might be a strategic platform for you to:
✔️ Demonstrate your solutions to a regional audience
✔️ Build visibility and brand credibility
✔️ Engage in cross-border collaboration and market access dialogues
✔️ Position your company at the forefront of industrial transformation

Be part of the movement driving Malaysia’s leadership in Advanced Manufacturing and Sustainable Industry 5.0.

📩 For HRD application and showcase opportunities, contact: AIMASIA@HASHTAQS.COM | +65 9105 1051 (SG) | +6011 1616 3281 (MY)

🔗 For more info: advancedmanufacturingasia.com/

For more updates, follow Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia on social media:
Facebook: Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia
LinkedIn: Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing Asia

#CRESTMalaysia #AIMAsia #advancedmanufacturing #deeptechinnovation #AIMAsiaWeek2025 #AdvancedInnovation #Manufacturing #Innovation #Industry5Point0 #Sustainability #InnovationLeadership #technology #innovation #strategies #futureofmanufacturing #growth #businesstransformation #hrdclaimable #Sustainability #InnovationLeadership #technology #innovation #strategies #futureofmanufacturing #growth #businesstransformation
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August 8th
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