UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) has recorded four major breakthroughs in its research and development fields with 22 journals published and 25 inventions / innovations patented in the past academic year.
The nation’s sole Accelerated Programme for Excellence (Apex) institution has also maintained its status as a leading regional educational provider by retaining its impressive fourth position in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023.
This translates to it becoming among the top institutions of higher learning in Asia.
Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamed told its fraternity at its annual awards recognition dinner (Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung) at the Spice Setia convention centre that more can be attained if its academic and undergraduates persevere.
The first breakthrough was it meeting its sustainable development goal with strong emphasis on cultivating the culture of peace, justice and strong institution and its zero-hunger policy to help students weather the rising living costs.
A total of 9,168 of students and staffers from its B40 (low medium income group) were given aid under the policy.
Through research grants, the university was involved in expanding its oysters and bee honey projects by marketing both food nutritional items overseas.
The second breakthrough came from its own designed satellite launch into orbit through a collaboration with the Angkasa - X innovation programme.
The third breakthrough came in the establishment of an industry-infused programme in Penang’s thriving electric and electronics industry by collaborating with multinationals such as Micron, Oppstar, Infineon and Western Digital, Rahman elaborated.
USM graduates were ready talents to be absorbed into the manufacturing sector here.
The Apex institution also led a local institutions of higher learning consortium in E&E to provide research and development opportunities, he said.
The last towering achievement was in treating tongue cancer (brachytherapy) mode.
USM also scored high marks in the Malaysia Research Assessment while a research lecturer was successful in publishing an article in the world-acclaimed “The Nature” journal by collaborating with the Harvard Medical School in the US.
69 USM researchers were also listed in the top 2% in the world for their respective fields of study, while not discounting its students where one athlete won the gold medal in judo at the Oceania Open in Perth, Australia.
USM also has the highest allocation among research grants, said Rahman.
A total of 139 USM personnel received grants worth RM17.190 million and this has resulted in the commercialisation of 22 publications and 25 innovations patented.
Later, USM pro-chancellor Tan Sri M. Jegathesan and its board of governors chairman Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin presented awards to the recipients.
Among those receiving awards were Prof Datuk Amirul Al-Ashraf Balakrishnan, Lee Lai Kuan, Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Abdullah, Sabah Mohammad, Prof S. Srimala, Zuraida Zainun, Prof Chan Yean Yean, Assoc Prof Cheah Chee Ban, Assoc Prof Aziah Ismail, Assoc Prof Husnul Azan Tajarudin, Prof Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim, Assoc Prof Mohd Nazri Ismail, Mohd Zulkifli Mustafa, Muhammad Hafiznur Yunus and Muhammad Firdaus Akbar Jalaludin Kan.
Others were Prof Datuk Abdul Khalil Shawkataly, Prof Datuk Aldrin Abdullah, M. Citaran, Assoc Prof Daisy Kee Mui Hung, Assoc Prof Hanizam Awang, Prof Hooy Chee Wooi, Jeya Amantha David Pandya, Assoc Prof Lim Vuangghao, Assoc Prof Lok Yian Yian, Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali and Zhou Ye. – The Vibes, November 21, 2023
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