TERMS AND CONDITIONS (nRIC 2012)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) had successfully made a breakthrough in organizing National Research & Innovation Competition for academic year of 2006/2007, the achievement remain its splendid for the following academic year of 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. From the previous achievements, USM portrayed a vivid image as the APEX University which strives for a continuous excellence in research and development. Hence, MPPUSM would like to make NRIC 2012 as the supportive step in instilling the importance of research and development to the students besides giving them an opportunity to put their talents and creativity into real actions.
          This academic year, 2011/2012,  we would like to make the progression of NRIC not solely as a competition, but  to bring it to higher standard. Besides IPTA and IPTS within Malaysia, NRIC  2012 is hoping to get the participation by institutions of higher education  from Asia countries. This initiative will put USM stands out from the crowd in  its effort in providing platform of interacting and sharing their knowledge. We  are very fortunate to gain supports from the corporate sectors as well  Malaysia’s government to make this event a success. This years’ convention will  be extended to an additional flow of activities which encompasses CoRIC,  corporate exhibitions and excursions.
          These competition and  convention are meant to build a good rapport between the institutions of higher  education within our country. The strong ties cemented are believed to favour  in our intention of nurturing capable human capital and workforce for the  country’s future development. This project caught the public’s attention and is  strongly supported by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia due to its huge  impact on the country’s development and affects all sectors positively in terms  of research and innovation, regardless of public or private as well. 
          Lastly, we also would like to  take this opportunity to invite several corporate companies from different sort  of industries to exhibit their products and services. We are going to hold a  small business fair in conjunction to this competition. Through this we hope to  gain collaboration between higher education institution with corporate sectors  and thus giving companies to get direct access to market their products for  students as well as getting the pool of future workforce.
International Participants
1. For your information, the Novel Research and Innovation Competition is scheduled to be held as followed:
Venue : Student Main Hall, Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 Penang Malaysia.
2. Below are the terms and conditions for entry:
This  competition is only open to all final year undergraduate and  diploma students of local and international institutions of higher learning that require their  students to conduct research as part of their graduation requirements.
The  students’ research project can be submitted in the form of a research product  or publication.
Each  institution of higher learning can submit a maximum of 15 entries comprising the best projects conceptualized by their first degree or diploma  students.
Fee  for Novel Research and Innovation Competition 2012 is USD400 per project (cover  accommodation and foods maximum for 3 persons per group and one person in charge).
Entries  can be submitted either individually or in groups (maximum 3 persons per  group).
Any additional participant has to be informed to us in 2 weeks in advance before the event. The maximum number of participant to be added is limited to 2 persons only. USD60 will be charged for each additional participant.
Foods  and accommodations will be limited to every participants and a  person in charge only.
Each  student has to enclose their latest final examination slip and student card  during the participation registration.
A  deposit of USD200 (subject to changes/fluctuations in the current exchange  rates) has to be remitted a month before the closing date for entries and the  remaining amount must be settled upon registration.
Payments  can be made in cheque, cash and bank in via TT transfer )  to the :
11800 Universiti Sains Malaysia
c/o Bank Muamalat Malaysia BHD
USM Service Centre, Minden
PENANG,MALAYSIA
BANK: MUALAMAT
        ACCOUNT NUMBER :0702-0001054-71-6
        SWIFT CODE: BMMBMYKL
3. Entry forms of Novel Research and Innovation Competition can be downloaded from the website stated here. For your information, the closing date for entries is extended.
Local Participants
          This competition is open to only diploma students and undergraduates, of final year students from both local public and private universities.
          
          
The research project could be either in product form or publication.
Each university is entitled to submit maximum, the best fifteen research projects in total, including master, undergraduate and diploma categories (local university only).
Research projects are to be competed under individual category or group category (maximum 3 persons).
Any additional participants must be informed to the organiser, two weeks prior the competition days. Maximum number of additional participants are two. Additional of RM200 will be charged per head for the additon of subsequent participant..
Food & beverage as well as accommodations are limited to three participants and one officer-in-charge.
Deposit RM600.00 must be paid one month before the registration date and the balance to be paid during the registration date. Each participantion is valid only after the advancement is paid.
Each participant who has been approved the participation is not allowed to withdraw once the deposit has been paid and it is not refundable. 
Participation fee for each competing project is RM1200.00 for all categories of master, undergraduate and diploma (local university) except CoRIC which is RM500.00.
        
Payment could be made via cheque, cash and P.O to:
11800 Universiti Sains Malaysia
(Attn: Bendahari NRIC 2012)
Payment must be made within 30 days after the competition. Warning letter will be issued if payment is not made within the mentioned duration.
•	Each participant is compulsory to wear formal attire during the opening ceremony and closing (award) ceremony.
