Intervarsity Science Symposium

Following the success of the UTAR Intervarsity Science Symposium (UISS) in 2016, UTAR’s Centre for Bio-Diversity Research (CBR), Faculty of Science (FSc), Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSR) and Quest International University Perak (QIUP) jointly organised UISS 2018 at Kampar Campus from 4 to 5 August 2018. The seminar saw the active participation of around one hundred undergraduate and postgraduate students from UTAR and other public and private universities in Malaysia.

Held for the third time since 2015, this year the successful seminar saw more than 20 presenters, comprising students from institutions of higher learning, assembling at Kampar Campus to present their R&D findings and research experiences in different fields, namely chemistry, biological sciences, agriculture, food science and health sciences.

Organising Chairperson of UISS 2018 Dr Tey Lai Hock expressed his gratitude to the speakers and the many sponsors for their support to UISS. He explained, “The objective of this symposium is to provide an opportunity to both undergraduate and postgraduate students to promote their research to the public via poster and oral presentation. Through this symposium, the students will be able to interact with the expertise from the industrial and academic sectors. It is indeed a great meeting for developing the careers of young researchers at the interface of the life sciences.”

In his speech, CBR Chairperson Dr Wong Wey Lim congratulated the organising committee for making the symposium a success and extended his warm welcome to the presenters and participants. He added, “Scientific advances and technological development have become inevitable in changing and improving our everyday life. Novel ideas and knowledge are disseminated across society and network at national and international levels to promote harmony between different scientific researches. It is believed that multi-disciplinary research is one of the key solutions to address some of the global issues. Today, this symposium, with the theme ‘Science for the Present and Future’ will provide a sharing platform for researchers, students, industry and related stakeholders to exchange their latest knowledge in formulating and creating novel scientific developments for the benefits of humankind.”

Chairperson of the Event Organising Partner-cum-Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology of QIUP Prof Dr Vilasini Pillai said, “QIUP is indeed very glad to co-organise this symposium with UTAR which provides a multinational platform to present and discuss latest trends in science and technology in a friendly environment. We are committed to playing a significant role in building and strengthening QIUP’s relationship with the broader science community. With the theme ‘Sciences for the Present and Future’, this symposium aims to promote quality research in recent developments in the fields of life sciences, biotechnology and chemistry. Outstanding breakthroughs in these areas have tremendous potential to support and achieve sustainable development goals, enhance public health delivery and environmental protection activities.”

FSc Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng enthused, “I would like to congratulate the organising committee for making this symposium possible. My appreciations also go to the invited speakers who have shared the same vision with the organiser and also to the sponsors for their financial support.” He added, “Postgraduate studies are seen as apprenticeship whereby the candidates are required to hone their research skills in terms of knowledge and techniques. In addition to that, to be a successful researcher, one has to add in communication, planning and time management skills. Taking part in conferences and symposiums would provide young postgraduates the necessary exposures and opportunities to receive comments on their findings and also pick up some tips to improve their researches.”

The plenary speakers for the two-day symposium were Prof Dr Wong Ling Shing from INTI International University Malaysia, Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Fadzil Shuhaimi bin Ramli from QIUP, Dr Koh Yew Ming from KL-Kepong Oleochemical Group, Assoc Prof Dr Kumaran Narayanan from Monash University Malaysia, Dr Meilina Ong Abdullah from Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Loy Hao Chih from RGS Corporation Sdn Bhd, Prof Dr Son Radu from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr Khomaizon Abdul Kadir Pahirulzaman from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Sinouvassane Djearamane from UTAR. Among the topic presented were “The Detection of Heavy Metals in Water Using Photosynthetic Microbes”, “Protein Consumption: Are We Eating Fish Wisely?”, “Food Analyst Act and Regulation: The Way Forward”, “Gene Delivery into Mammalian Cells Using Bacteria as a Vector”, “Technology-driven Oil Palm Cultivation for a Sustainable Future”, “The Importance of Analytical Instrument for Chemistry and Elemental Testing”, “Food Safety: A Winnable Battle”, “Reconstructing Biosynthetic Pathways in Aspergillus Oryzae” and “Cytotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Nutrient Microalga” respectively.

Besides the enriching talks, the elevating symposium also saw a total of 20 oral presentations and 23 poster presentations. The two-day symposium officially came to an end after an announcement of winners for the best oral and poster presentations. The list of winners is as follows:

Best Oral Presentation Award – Postgraduate: Toh Wai Keat (UTAR)

Best Oral Presentation Award – Undergraduate: Lee Wei Hang (UTAR)

Best Poster Award – Postgraduate: Tor Xin Yen (UTAR)

Best Poster Award – Undergraduate: Ow Yu Wei (QIUP) and Visantini Permal (QIUP)

UISS 2018 was supported and sponsored by UTAR, QIUP, RGS Corporation Sdn Bhd, IKA, Gaia Science, Impian Bonus Sdn Bhd and ASEPTEC. 

 The participants and speakers

Participants exchanging information with industrial representatives

Short introduction and interaction between the poster presenters and the panel of judges

Dr Tey (second row, fourth from right) and Prof Vilasini (second row, sixth from right) with presentation winners and their respective supervisors