MIMOS

History of MIMOS

In the early 1980s a group of academicians, led by Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen, the Dean of School of Engineering University of Malaya, discussed and realized that Malaysia was a leading country in exporting electrical and electronics products but none of the product’s design, brand and marketing belong to Malaysian companies.

The informal discussions involving Dr Mohd Azzman (University of Malaya), Dr Mohamed Awang Lah (University of Malaya), Dr Muhammad Ghazie Ismail (University of Science Malaysia), Dr Mohd Arif Nun (University of Technology Malaysia) and Dr Mohd Zawawi Ismail (University of Technology Malaysia) led to the realisation of Malaysia’s need for an institute to conduct microelectronics research to support the industry and to develop indigenous products.

This realisation enabled the informal team of academicians to present the concept paper on microelectronics research and development institute to the minister and senior officers of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in early 1984.

Arising from the feedbacks, a concerted effort was made to present the idea to the then Prime Minster of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In August 1984, a deliberation on the concept paper for the formation of Institute of Microelectronics R&D was made to the Prime Minister. The purpose of the Institute was to provide critical infrastructure for the advancement of local electronic industry so that the nation can design, produce and market high quality electronic products by indigenous capabilities due to the importance of industrial and economic growth.

The paper on the formation of the Institute was tabled and approved by the Cabinet on 17th October 1984.

MIMOS was established as The Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) in January 1985, as a unit within the Prime Minister Department. After its formation, MIMOS was given the mandate by the Government to accelerate its development as the country’s centre of excellence in microelectronics and information technology.

In 1990, MIMOS expanded and became a department under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE). In 1994, it was appointed as the Secretariat to the National IT Council (NITC), and played a pivotal role in the development of the framework for the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).

The Institute was incorporated as MIMOS Berhad in November 1996. The core activities of MIMOS Berhad then were R&D, IT Policy Development and Business Development.

In 2003, MIMOS’ responsibility for IT Policy and Development was transferred to the Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia (MECM). Today, R&D is MIMOS’ core activity. Its existing businesses entities are being strengthen for monetisation.

MIMOS’ R&D activities are carried out based on a multi-stakeholder smart partnership model.