As an effort by UTAR to expand industrial collaborations, two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between UTAR and EZON Berhad; and AWEECO Ecological Sdn Bhd were signed on 12 January 2022 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

The MoUs were signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EZON Berhad and AWEECO Ecological Sdn Bhd Ikaxa Tan Chee Yong. It was witnessed by Director of EZON Berhad and AWEECO Ecological Sdn Bhd Noel Chia Wui Kwang and Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong.

Delegates from EZON Berhad and AWEECO Ecological Sdn Bhd included Co-founder of EZON and LAE Founder Dr Chen Hsi-Tsai who attended via Zoom, Group Advisor Tan Chai Puan, Director Wang Yong Cheng, Director Poh Yin Foo, Beauty and Health Advisor Fion Lew Sheau Thing, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Yap Chee Hwang, and IT Manager Bryan Law.

Also present on behalf of UTAR were UTAR Council Member Datuk Lim Si Cheng, UTAR Council Member Mr Hew Fen Yee, Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, FSc Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Phoon Lee Quen, FSc academic Dr Ooi Ai Lin, Director of T&CM Centre of UTAR Hospital Assoc Prof Dr Te Kian Keong, Chief Administrative Officer of UTAR Hospital Project Chor Choy Yook, Chief Pharmacist of UTAR Hospital Project Loo Heng Hoe, Division of Community and International Networking Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi and staff.

Prof Ewe expressed thanks to EZON and AWEECO for enabling the forging of this collaboration. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity to explore collaborations in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and Light Activated Energy (LAE). The expertise from EZON Berhad and AWEECO Ecological Sdn Bhd is also in line with our programmes under the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Faculty of Science which will facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as establish collaborative research and development projects. The collaborations will also enable us to gain insights into the industry, which is important for ensuring that our programmes remain relevant to the advances of the industry and improving our curriculum development.”

Ikaxa Tan enthused, “Today’s signing set a significant milestone for closer research collaboration among us, covering both the medical and agriculture segments. Innovation, technology and product development have always been the key driver of Ezon and Aweeco. For the last two years, we have developed a total of 11 breakthrough healthy products and four treatment centres using our patented LAE, biotechnology and nano technology. With the collaboration with UTAR, we hope to further enhance our innovation and technology development by increasing our R&D resources and continuing the expansion of R&D infrastructure. It is also our vision to develop Malaysia into a regional innovation and technology hub with UTAR to provide health and wellbeing to mankind and improve agriculture production and quality. LAE technology is certainly a breakthrough in our pursuit to create a safe and healthy world, besides its boundless potential to revolutionise disease treatment and enhance life.”

The MoUs aimed to facilitate joint projects involving collaborative research; sharing of expertise and joint development of research; exchange of ideas and facilities among parties, including attachment and mutual visits by staff members; and mutual visits by the staff of parties.

Through these MoUs, industrial study visits and industrial placement will also enable UTAR undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain industrial exposure that will enhance their learning experience, professional development and curriculum development. It would also provide a platform for the students to acquire skills that will give them a competitive advantage in their employment later on.

The MoUs also focused on giving back to the community through various community engagements for better societal contributions. This effort is also in line with UTAR’s continuous emphasis on contributing to society as a University by the people, for the people.