Sharing research together for a better future through R&D Colloquium 2018 (2.0)

Dr Yong (middle), speakers, researchers and participants at R&D Colloquium 2018 (2.0)

Aimed at strengthening the cross-disciplinary research centres, which is one of the initiatives devised under Focus Area 3: Research and Development of the UTAR 10-year Strategic Plan, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) staged another comeback with “R&D Colloquium 2018 (2.0)” on 24 November 2018 at Sungai Long Campus.

The main theme of the colloquium was ‘Knowledge for Society’. The R&D Colloquium served as a platform for the researchers to update their research outcomes. It also aimed to provide regular networking and promote cross-disciplinary research collaboration among all the researchers from 32 UTAR research centres.

Dr Yong highlighting the importance of funding for research

Speaking at the opening ceremony, IPSR Director Assoc Prof Dr Yong Thian Khok emphasised on the importance of funding for research. “Funding is very important for research to take place. Without funding, it is impossible for our research to be done. Our theme this year is ‘Knowledge for Society’. I would like to urge all of you to move forward and find the means to go to the society and industry to look for funding. We need to change our mindset of doing research and experiment and we need to start involving the industry,” said Dr Yong.

The colloquium then commenced with a sharing session by Er Pek Hoon on “Assessing Training Needs of Trainers of Akademi Laut Malaysia”, Fook Oi Yee on “UTAR New Village Community Project”, and Dr Aloysius Yapp and Lim Chai Kim on “Heritage & Culture preservation by Immersive Technology”, which centred on society and community building.      

Clockwise, from top left: Er, Fook, Lim and Dr Aloysius Yapp during the sharing session

The R&D Colloquium 2018(2.0) encompassed four parallel sessions, each with its respective subtheme. Theme A was titled “Sustainable Environment & Green Technology” and it was chaired by Centre for Sustainable Architecture Chairperson Dr Lim Poh Im. The parallel session consisted of presentations by Dr Thiam Hui San on “Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Fuel Cell Application”, Prof Dr Ngeow Yun Fong on “Legionella Risk Assessment”, Dr Komathi Munusamy and Jayamalathi Jayabalan on “Need Assessment Analysis on Community-Based Care Services for Elderly”, Abdul Rahim bin Mohd Zin on “Guiding Framework for Organised Self-help Housing of the Hardcore Poor in Rural Malaysia” and Dr Steven Lim on “Synthesis of Heterogeneous Solid Acidic Catalyst for Biodiesel Production”.

The parallel session for Theme B was titled “Wealth through Science & Technology” and it was chaired by Centre for Vehicular Technology Chairperson Assoc Prof Ts Dr Chew Kuew Wai. Keynote speaker KL Automotive Engineering Sdn Bhd Director Kuan Teik Hua spoke about “Challenges and Opportunity of SME”. Following the keynote speech were research presentations, namely “RUMPS401 MPSoC Design for IoT Systems and Education” by GLX Technologies Sdn Bhd Senior ASIC Design Engineer Dicky Hartono, “Applications of RFID Technology” by Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lim Eng Hock, “Fiber Optic Sensors in Monitoring Applications” by Ts Dr Pua Chang Hong, “Energy: Islands of Light” by Dr Bernard Saw Lip Huat and “Integration of RFID with IoT” by Dr Mohd Nizam bin A.Badaruddin.

Participants listening attentively to the speakers

Theme C “Creative & Innovative Education through Technology”, was chaired by Centre for Information Systems and Software Technologies Chairperson Dr Tse Siu Hong Savio. Presenting for theme C were Lee Yoon Heng on “Consumption Practice of Malaysian Premium Durian in the Internationalization of Indigenous Fruits”, Tan Wooi Yee on “China-Indonesia Energy Ties”, Lau Siew Yee on “A Longer School Year and Entrepreneurial Success: Evidence from Indonesia” and Dr Lim Boon Hoe on “How to Teach Molecular Biology?”.

Last but not least, theme D “Healthcare, Medicine & Technology” was chaired by Centre for Cancer Research Chairperson-cum-Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Head of Postgraduate Programmes Prof Dr Lim Yang Mooi. Theme D saw  Gan Quan Fu presenting on “Stem Cells Therapy: Progress & Hype”, Ts Dr Simon Lau Boung Yew presenting on “Internet of Things for Smart Healthcare: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities”, Kuek Thiam Yong presenting on “Tourism and Augmented Reality in Malaysia: An Empirical Research in a Local Entertainment Hub”, Imtiyaz Ali Mir presenting on “Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise on Short Term Memory and Attention in Young Sedentary Adults with Depression: A Randomized Control Trial” and Assoc Prof Dr Tang Pek Yee presenting on “Characterization of rs1272363 and rs373174214 in 3’-Untranslated Region (UTR) of TCF4 Gene and its Association in Schizophrenia”.

The colloquium also saw a multi-disciplinary research proposal presentation. It was presented by all the chairs of the four sessions on their respective subthemes.   

 From left to right: Dr Komathi, Imtiyaz, Lee, Dr Tse, Abdul Rahim and Kuan

As a progressive university, UTAR constantly holds conferences and colloquia as platforms for researchers to share their research findings and network with others for more collaborative opportunities.