UTM Synergy 4.0: Faculty Consolidations

Effective of 1 July 2018, the existing 18 faculties of UTM will be merged into only 7. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar was quoted as saying “This major transformation is meant to open up more opportunities for synergy and collaborations between academicians from different academic disciplines and new innovation in offering academic programs that are able to fulfill the new needs of the society in the future.”

The Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering (FBME) split into two, the original Biosciences will join the Faculty of Science, becoming the Department of Biosciences. While the Medical Engineering will join the Faculty of Engineering as the School of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences.

Read the full story of the merger at the link below.

UTM Synergy 4.0 to merge faculties

Malaysian Educational Module on Responsible Conduct of Research

The Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) has launched the Malaysian Education Module on Responsible Conduct of Research, in February 2018, in conjunction with the Regional Conference on Safe and Secure Science at Sunway University Kuala Lumpur.

This educational module complements the Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research. The first version has 10 chapters, targeting various aspects of research, from ethics, safety, financial and data management, and publications. It is an extremely useful module for teaching RCR in Malaysian public universities, with all activities suggested are based on the 21st century learning experience.

The module can be read freely online here, or can be purchased from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia by e-mailing syafiq@akademisains.gov.my.

First Review Article on Heat Shock Protein 47

Our first review article on Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47) is now published on Wiley’s Encyclopaedia of Life Sciences (eLS). It can be accessed here.

Abstract:

“Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), a noninhibitory serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN, clade H1) family member, is a unique collagen‐specific molecular chaperone. The binding of HSP47 to collagen has been the subject of intense investigation, as it binds to and only to collagen. This binding specificity presents a relatively unexplored potential of using HSP47 as a target for treatment of collagen‐related diseases and abnormalities. Homology model studies and structural determination have revealed the important amino acid residues for HSP47‐collagen binding interaction. HSP47‐knockout experiment in mice proved the importance of HSP47 for correct folding of collagen triple helices, thus critical for normal development. Various diagnostic and treatment strategies based on the unique HSP47 functions are now being investigated and proposed.” (eLS, DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0028005)

The Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR)

The National Science Council, in collaboration with MIGHT, has recently launched the The Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR). MCRCR outlines the principles of responsible conduct in research, and the practice. Quoting Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid, FASc in his foreword: “adherence and compliance with the Code will ensure that research in Malaysia will be pursued earnestly and honestly, with integrity and accountability. It denotes that our researchers and research entities – universities, research institutes, laboratories, research programmes – embrace the accepted code of conduct so crucial in ensuring that research is being pursued vigorously and with propriety. This will boost our Science inherently and internationally.”

It can be freely accessed at MIGHT’s website, or downloaded here.

Congratulations Rusna Shakira, Siti Noor Aisyah and Siti Amirah!

Congratulations Rusna Shakira, Siti Noor Aisyah and Siti Amirah on successfully defending their MSc (Biotechnology) mixed mode dissertation on 16 January 2018!

Rusna optimised bacterial starch degradation, and Siti Noor Aisyah was working with bacterial consortium for higher starch degradation and biohydrogen production using starch wastewater. Siti Amirah investigated the effects of heat pre-treatment on cassava-processing sludge for mixed bacterial culture biohydrogen generation.

All the best in your future endeavour.

 

Yong, Mah and Nurzulaina Won Awards at FYUP Symposium

Congratulations Yong Jing Xuan, Mah Ming Hui and Nurzulaina Ahmad Zulkifli on winning awards at the recent FYUP Symposium on 15-16 June 2017. Yong received the best poster and best presenter awards, Mah received the best poster award, while Nurzulaina was awarded the best presenter.

Also congratulations Ooi Zhi Sin and Saidatul Umiyah on successfully completing their FYUP presentation in the symposium.