Innovation knows no bounds and it thrives on individuals’ curiosity, creativity, and courage to challenge the status quo. Nevertheless, limitless potential it may hold, a perpetual art it is not. To sustain progress and achieve breakthroughs across various fields, humanity has long explored the world, uncovering a rich wealth of knowledge, resources and connections. The quest for discovery sparked countless knowledge exchanges across epochs, with cross-border collaborations emerging as keys to reaching new heights in our rapidly evolving world.
Drawing from his rewarding experiences in the 2023 Researcher Mobility and Networking Programme organised by the National Cheng Kung University Overseas Hub (NCKU OH) in Malaysia, Dr Tan Chin Xuan from UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc) Department of Allied Health Sciences recounted stories of his partnerships with various researchers around the world during the webinar “Global Synergy: Building and Sustaining Cross-Border Research Partnerships”, held on 12 December 2024 via Cisco Webex and Facebook Live, hosted by NCKU OH in Malaysia.
As part of the “2024 NCKU Overseas Week”, the webinar aimed to foster cross-border research collaboration and knowledge exchange between Malaysian institutions and researchers from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). By inviting researchers who have established sustainable cross-border partnerships, it explored how researchers and institutions cultivate lasting and meaningful partnerships in the face of challenges such as cultural differences, funding limitations and evolving global priorities.
Clockwise from top left: Dr Tan, Dr Sri Devi, Prof Liang and Dr Tsai, each recounting their experiences collaborating with researchers from other institutions
The webinar was moderated by Prof Dr Ivy Chung, the Director of NCKU OH in Malaysia and an academic from the Faculty of Medicine, UM.
Prof Ivy Chung expressing her wish to extend the benefits of the mobility programme to a broader community of researchers
During the webinar, Dr Tan shared his thoughts on the 2023 Researcher Mobility and Networking Programme, saying, “The mobility programme designed by NCKU OH is a good platform because it not only provides Malaysian researchers with an opportunity to visit NCKU and discuss research projects with overseas researchers but also fosters collaborations and knowledge exchanges for both participating researchers and researchers from NCKU.”
Dr Tan sharing enriching experiences from his collaboration with Dr Tsai
Dr Tan added, “It is especially good for young researchers, as it provides an invaluable opportunity to meet more experienced researchers from overseas in a physical setting. A face-to-face meeting has more human touch to it compared to an online meeting.”
Through the insights shared by the young researcher, Dr Tan connected with others who share similar research interests in public health nutrition. Among them was Dr Tsai from NCKU, who has not only offered Dr Tan valuable research opportunities, but also potential access to global networks while serving as a key partner to him.
“I got to know Dr Tsai from NCKU through a research network a few years ago. We share common interests in the field of public health and nutrition. Through his recommendation, I was able to connect with several top-notch researchers from different regions, such as Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia. We usually have an online meeting every two or three months to share updates on our collaborative project. It facilitated open communications and exchanges of ideas and solutions,” Dr Tan enthused about the connections he has built in recent years.
As he pursued his research endeavours in the fields of nutrition science, food technology and community health, Dr Tan has established an invaluable network of research partnerships. He has also developed strategies to overcome challenges in building impactful research collaborations, leveraging the diverse expertise and opportunities offered through his academic affiliation with experienced researchers.
Dr Tan’s pursuit of knowledge highlights the profound impact of cross-border collaborations in driving innovation and expanding research horizons. His active participation in the 2023 Researcher Mobility and Networking Programme and joint activities between NCKU and UTAR reflects a shared commitment to fostering global partnerships, mutual learning and exchanges of expertise. These efforts serve as an inspiration towards advancements across various fields despite the unknown challenges that may arise in the dynamic world.
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