BINUS University delegation visits UTAR

A delegation from the Bina Nusantara (BINUS) University visited UTAR Sungai Long and Kampar Campuses on 3 October 2024. The delegation consisted of Assoc Prof Dr Nesti F. Sianipar, Head of Food Biotechnology Research Center (FBRC), Assoc Prof Anderes Gui, Lecturer Specialist in School of Information Systems, and Ms Sri Handayani, International Publication Staff, Research and Technology Transfer. The purpose of the visit was to explore academic and research collaborations in various areas, as well as reciprocate the visit by the UTAR delegation to BINUS University in Jakarta on 25 July 2024.

The BINUS delegation first visited the M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) at the Sungai Long Campus, where a meeting was held at the Postgraduate Meeting Room. The meeting commenced with an introductory session where Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi, Director of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR), and other senior faculty members welcomed the BINUS delegation. The session included an overview of MK FMHS, its strategic focus areas, and current research projects, emphasising the Centre for Cancer Research, Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Centre for Stem Cell Research, Centre for Research on Non-Communicable Diseases, and Dr Wu Lien-Teh Centre for Research in Communicable Diseases' works. Among the areas of emphasis for research collaboration included herbal drug development and anti-cancer screening. Dr Nesti’s expertise in these fields aligned closely with ongoing research efforts at UTAR, particularly those spearheaded by the Centre for Cancer Research, led by Prof Lim and her team members.

During the meeting, both institutions expressed a strong interest in formalising a collaboration agreement, recognising the potential to leverage each other’s strengths and resources. The discussion included strategies for accessing matching grants from both universities. The aim was to secure financial support for long-term collaborative projects, enabling larger-scale studies and enhancing research impact. The meeting concluded with a commitment to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would outline these collaborative efforts in detail, setting clear timelines, milestones, and shared responsibilities to foster a successful partnership. The BINUS delegation was then given a tour of UTAR’s state-of-the-art laboratories within the MK FMHS.

From left: Dr Nesti presenting a token of appreciation to UTAR Vice President Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman

Prof Lim (middle) and Dr Nesti (third from left) with BINUS delegates and UTAR staff

Prof Lim and the delegates from BINUS University

The BINUS delegation then travelled to the Kampar Campus, accompanied by Prof Lim. Upon arriving in Kampar, they were hosted for a lunch at the Grand Kampar Hotel. From UTAR, the attendees included IPSR Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dr Choong Yuen Onn, Faculty of Science (FSc) Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Phoon Lee Quen, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lo Po Kim, and Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research (CBNR) Chairperson Dr Eddy Cheah Seong Guan.

Following lunch, the delegation took a tour of the UTAR Hospital and UTAR Kampar Campus, led by Dr Choong, Dr Phoon, and Dr Eddy Cheah. At the UTAR Hospital, they visited the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Centre and Medical Centre, including the diagnostic laboratories. They next visited Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, the Bamboo Pavilion, and the surrounding gardens, enjoying the panoramic view of the lake.

A meeting was then held at the university’s Conference Room (F203), which was also joined by Centre for Agriculture and Food Research (CAFR) Chairperson Dr Tan Yen Nee, Centre for Environment and Green Technology (CEGT) Chairperson Assoc Prof ChM Ts Dr Sin Jin Chung, and the following FEGT academic staff/CEGT members: Assoc Prof ChM Ts Dr Lam Sze Mun, Dr Ong Yit Thai, and Dr Leong Siew Yoong. Dr Nesti Sianipar began by introducing FBRC and her research interests in plant biotechnology, plant genetics and breeding, medicinal natural products, and food product development, followed by a discussion on potential research collaborations in these areas with FSc academics. Collaborations in other areas, including engineering and green technology, waste management, and business and finance, were also discussed. CBNR, CAFR, and CEGT will liaise with BINUS University for research matching in the respective centres’ research areas of focus.

The BINUS delegation then took a tour of the FEGT Petrochemical Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory, Environmental Laboratory, and Biochemistry Laboratory. They next visited FSc covering the following laboratories: chemistry laboratories (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, etc.), scanning electron microscopy room, biological science laboratories (plant tissue culture, animal tissue culture, molecular biology, microbiology, and environmental microbiology), biotechnology FYP laboratory, food processing laboratory, and postgraduate research laboratories. The FSc lab tour was guided by lab officers, namely Mr Seou Chi Kien, Cik Nurul Illiana binti Mazlishah, and Encik Muhammad Zulhilmi bin Sahabudin.

From left: Ms Sri Handayani, Dr Nesti Sianipar, Dr Phoon, Dr Eddy Cheah and Dr Anderes Gui at UTAR Hospital Medical Centre

 

Tour of the UTAR Hospital’s diagnostic laboratory, guided by Ms Sujatha, Assistant Laboratory Manager

Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

Guests enjoying the panoramic view of the lake by Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik