UTAR and PopoMama Sdn Bhd collaborate to advance women’s health and nutrition research

UTAR expanded its collaborative network in health and wellness research through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PopoMama Sdn Bhd on 30 July 2025 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

The partnership will focus on advancing research, consultation, and knowledge exchange in the fields of women’s health, nutrition, and traditional medicine. Representing UTAR at the ceremony was Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, while PopoMama Sdn Bhd was represented by Managing Director Mr Chong Wai Hong and Chief Executive Officer Ms Chua Mei Hsiang. Also present were UTAR Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, staff from both organisations, and guests from PopoMama Sdn Bhd.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Choong expressed UTAR’s enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that it aligns with the University’s mission to be a global institution of educational and research excellence with meaningful societal impact. “PopoMama, a company dedicated to women’s health and personal care, shares our commitment to improving lives through innovation and evidence-based solutions. Through this partnership, we aim to explore collaborative research projects, facilitate scientific validation of products, and share findings that will contribute to the broader body of knowledge in women’s health and nutrition,” he said.

Prof Choong also highlighted the role of UTAR’s Centre for Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) as a multidisciplinary platform that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, and biomedical sciences. “The Centre’s ongoing initiatives in preventive care, integrative therapies, and women’s health reinforce the relevance of today’s partnership with PopoMama. We believe it will create new opportunities to expand both scientific understanding and practical applications of traditional remedies,” he added.

Mr Chong Wai Hong, in his address, conveyed PopoMama’s optimism about the collaboration, expressing confidence that the combined strengths of academia and industry would lead to innovative and impactful outcomes.

Following the MoU exchange, souvenirs were presented and a group photo session was held before guests were taken on a tour of UTAR’s laboratories and campus facilities. The tour provided PopoMama representatives with a closer look at UTAR’s research infrastructure and capabilities, particularly in health sciences and nutrition.

This latest MoU marks another milestone in UTAR’s commitment to fostering strategic collaborations that bridge academic expertise with real-world applications. To date, the University has established over 780 partnerships with organisations and institutions from more than 30 economies worldwide, supporting research, industry engagement, and student development across diverse disciplines.

Through this collaboration with PopoMama Sdn Bhd, UTAR aims to further strengthen its research capacity in women’s health and nutrition, while providing students and researchers with opportunities to contribute to evidence-based solutions that benefit the community.