RECORDS are meant to be broken, and inventor Cheah Bok Eng has done just that by securing 236 worldwide patent grants, surpassing his previous national record of 167 patents across 13 countries, achieved in December 2022.
It was a moment of immense pride as Cheah received the Malaysia Book of Records certificate from its representative, Megat Fariz, at the latter’s office in Kuala Lumpur today.
Cheah’s patents span various technical domains, including signal and power integrity, advanced packaging technology, and miniaturisation of electronic device form factors. These patents were granted by intellectual property offices across 13 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, France, China, and Malaysia.
“I hope the new record set today will raise the awareness of our local community on the importance of intellectual property (IP), a key element in helping us remain competitive in this technological era,” said Cheah, who is also the organiser of the inaugural Malaysia Inventor and Innovator Convention (MyIIC), held at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, last December.
“This accomplishment is a testament to the growing strength of Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem. I’m heartened to see more and more inventors emerging over my two-decade professional journey.
“I’m blessed to have worked with brilliant inventors and engineers and to have been mentored by industry pioneers and coaches. I’m deeply grateful for their guidance as I navigate through the growth journey with wisdom.
“To fellow aspiring innovators, let’s continue to revolutionise the way we live through the power of innovation!”
A firm believer that innovation is the fuel for advancement and growth in every industry, Cheah emphasises the importance of an innovative workforce for a nation to move up the global chain.
Rather than keeping the secret to his success to himself, Cheah actively mentors others, especially his colleagues, on how to protect and patent their inventions.
Through organising MyIIC, Cheah has helped nurture the next generation of innovators via direct mentorship and structured methodology. His unwavering dedication has positively impacted more than 5,000 students and professionals at both national and international levels.
Cheah also holds esteemed positions in the innovation community. He is an Associate Fellow of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology and a Senior Member of the IEEE (SMIEEE). Additionally, he serves on the councils of the Malaysia TRIZ Innovation Association (MyTRIZ) and the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS).
Beyond his engineering achievements, Cheah is also an author. His debut book, Innovation Unleashed: A 10-day journey with an inventor, was written to equip aspiring innovators with the mindset needed to accelerate their journey.
Following its release in 2023, his second book, Trailblazer Unleashed: A 10-Day Journey with Noteworthy Pathfinders, is slated to launch in the second half of this year.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Cheah Bok Eng