PENANG, 28 March 2015 – Intensive development in Bioscience will be one of the main areas of focus in an agreement of collaboration between Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Tomsk State University (TSU), Russia.

As a starting point, the collaboration will focus on the development of biomaterials for medical applications, as this area of research holds vast potential for knowledge development and enhancement of global human welfare.

Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan stated that USM had several specialists in these areas and as such he believed that collaboration with TSU would enrich the research process.

He added that TSU had also expressed interest to collaborate in other areas such as chemistry, physics, nano technology, electrical engineering as well as other niche research areas of USM.

“I would say that this is a very unique and fitting collaboration as both our institutions, USM and TSU, share similar goals in the pursuit of excellence.

“TSU, one of the best and oldest universities in Russia and USM, Malaysia’s APEX university, will hold a series of discussions in the near future to iron out the details and ensure that the objectives of our collaboration are met,” he added.

Muhamad was speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between USM and TSU today.

TSU meanwhile was represented by its Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Professor Dr Artem Rykun.

 Also present were the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Sofiman Othman, senior lecturers and principal officers of the university.

Artem stated that collaboration with USM was a welcome development as his university and USM, the second oldest university in Malaysia were very similar in several aspects.

“TSU was established in 1888 and to date we have gone through many phases of development. We have recently undertaken several initiatives as a research university in the effort to be ranked among the best universities in the world,” he added.

Although USM was much younger than TSU, Artem acknowledged that USM had achieved significant accomplishments and was recognised for these achievements both locally and globally.
 
Research in medical biomaterials for medical applications enables scientists to seek alternatives and make new discoveries that can improve the quality of life and medicine in general.
 
An example of advancement in biomaterials in medical applications is the use of absorbable, biodegradable sutures in the operation theatre which means that patients no longer require the removal of surgical stitches thereby hastening the healing process.

However, with the availability of biomaterial research, scientists can produce bio-compatible and bio-assimilative sutures which can be absorbed by the body, providing ease of use. – Dr. Nurul Farhana Low Abdullah & Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias