From July 14 to July 26, 2024, three Master’s students from the Department of Medicine, Universiti Brawijaya, Indonesia, participated in a Research Attachment Program at the Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials (CSNano) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Supervised by Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, this program offered the students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and deepen their understanding of nanomaterials.
The students arrived in Malaysia on July 14, eager to embark on their educational journey. The program began with an introductory briefing by Dr. Nik Ahmad on July 15, setting the stage for an immersive learning experience. This session introduced the goals of the attachment and provided an overview of CSNano’s cutting-edge research facilities, located in the T02 Building, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM.
The attachment focused on the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using plant extracts. Beginning on July 16, the students, under the guidance of Dr. Nik Ahmad, learned the fundamentals of biosynthesis and began preparing the necessary materials. A tour of the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD) was also included, expanding their knowledge of bioproduct research and development.
From July 17 to July 18, the students engaged in the core activities of the program, synthesizing AgNPs and analyzing their progress through UV-Vis spectroscopy. This hands-on experience was further enriched by data analysis sessions, where the students interpreted their experimental results through graph construction.
The following days, July 21 and 22, were dedicated to scaling up the synthesis of AgNP colloids. In addition, the students attended lectures on nanomaterials and infrared spectroscopy by experts including Dr. Siti Salwa Alias, Dr. Juan Matmin, and Dr. Lee Siew Ling. These sessions provided deeper insights into the characterization techniques essential in nanotechnology research.
As part of the program, the students prepared detailed reports and presentations to showcase their findings. The program concluded on July 25 with a series of student presentations, followed by a closing ceremony that celebrated their achievements and the valuable knowledge gained during the attachment.
This collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Brawijaya highlights the commitment of both institutions to fostering international academic exchange and advancing research in sustainable nanomaterials. Through this program, participants not only enhanced their practical skills but also contributed to the growing field of nanotechnology, positioning themselves as future leaders in this innovative area of science.
