FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)	Details & Guidelines
1. General Information & System Overview
What are the operating hours for the Research Management Centre (RMC)?	The RMC office is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Note: Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
What is the ORKED system?	ORKED stands for Organizational Research Knowledge Experts Dashboard. It is UTHM’s fully online research management system used by researchers to apply for grants, manage budgets, submit progress reports, appoint research assistants, and register research activities. For technical support or issues, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2. Grants & Ethics Approval
How do I apply for internal and external research grants?	All grant applications must be submitted through the ORKED system. Steps: Log in → Navigate to `Grant Application` → `Grant Opening` → Select grant type → Fill out required tabs → Submit.
Do I need ethics approval for my research project?	Yes. Projects involving human subjects, animal testing, or sensitive data must obtain approval from the relevant ethics committee before data collection begins. Please refer to the "Research Ethics" section on the RMC portal for detailed guidelines.
3. Appointments, Financials & Purchases
Can grant funds be used to pay the salaries of primary researchers?	No. Grant funds cannot be used to pay the salaries of existing UTHM institutional staff. However, funds can be allocated to pay allowances for Graduate Research Assistants (GRA), Research Assistants (RA), or Post-Doctoral staff.
How do I appoint a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Research Assistant (RA)?	Appointments are handled fully online via ORKED. Steps: Go to `Appointment (GRA/PKL/RA)` → Select active grant → Click `+ New Appointment` → Complete application form → Upload required documents → Submit.
What are the requirements for purchasing chemicals or biological materials?	All hazardous purchases must comply with UTHM Occupational Safety and Health Environment (OSHE) regulations. You must complete the required chemical or biological approval forms prior to making any purchase.
How do I process claims or payments?	Initiate claim/payment requests via the ORKED system. Once submitted online, print the generated form and submit it along with original payment proofs (receipts/invoices) directly to the RMC office.
How do I request a budget virement (transfer of funds between vots)?	Virement requests must be submitted and processed through the `Manage Grant` section within the ORKED system.
4. Activities, Reporting & Institutional Impact
Do I need to register my fieldwork or conference attendance?	Yes. If you are organizing a program, attending a conference, or conducting fieldwork, you must register the activity under the `Activity` menu in ORKED to obtain approval and allocate expenses from your grant.
How do I submit my progress or final report?	Log into ORKED → Navigate to `Manage Grant` from the side menu → Select either `Progress Report` or `Final Report` to submit updates.
What happens to equipment purchased under a grant once the project concludes?	Assets and equipment purchased using grant funds belong to the university. At the end of the project, researchers must fill out the Asset / Inventory Transfer of Ownership Form to officially declare and hand over the equipment.
What is MyRA and why is it important to report research outputs?	MyRA (Malaysia Research Assessment) is an instrument used by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to evaluate research performance across Malaysian universities. Reporting research outputs (indexed publications, patents, postgraduate completions, commercialized products) directly impacts UTHM’s MyRA star rating, national standing, and eligibility for future government research grants.