USM NEWS PORTAL 

Inside USM 18–24 May 2026


online version

18–24 May 2026

Engineering Career Expo 2026 USM Gathers More Than 60 Industry Companies in Nibong Tebal

NIBONG TEBAL, 20 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues to strengthen its graduate employability agenda through the organisation of the Engineering Career Expo 2026 held at the Main Hall, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, here today.

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USM Featured by Times Higher Education at Education World Forum 2026

USM PENANG, 20 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues to strengthen its global sustainability leadership when its SDG 16 case study was featured in a special international whitepaper by Times Higher Education (THE) launched during the Education World Forum (EWF) 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

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“Pretty in Purple” Programme Celebrates 
International Women’s Day at USM

USM PENANG, 20 May 2026 – The spirit of International Women’s Day (IWD) was brought to life at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the “Pretty in Purple” programme, jointly organised by Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) and Centre for Research on Women and Gender (Pusat Penyelidikan Wanita dan Gender, KANITA).

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USM Introduces POLYNEX for Next-Generation Sustainable 
Agricultural Applications

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continued to strengthen its commitment towards sustainable material engineering and environmental innovation through the presentation of POLYNEX at the 37th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026. Developed under the leadership of Prof. Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan from the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, the innovation attracted attention for its environmentally responsible approach towards modern agricultural applications.

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ECOSHIELD-X Positions USM at the Forefront of Sustainable 
Radiation Protection Innovation

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) strengthened its position in sustainable healthcare engineering and advanced material innovation through the presentation of EcoShield-X at the 37th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026. Developed under the leadership of Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Rafidah Zainon through Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), the innovation drew significant attention for its environmentally responsible approach towards modern radiation shielding systems.

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USM Unveils Scalable Cybersecurity Defence Platform 
Through OwlSight at ITEX 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through its Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES) introduced OwlSight at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2026, reflecting growing efforts to strengthen sustainable and accessible cybersecurity resilience within increasingly complex digital environments.

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USM Advances Organ-Preservation Oncology 
Through HYBIRT Radiotherapy Protocol at ITEX 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 May 2026 – A research team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi introduced an advanced organ-preservation oncology protocol at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2026, reflecting a growing shift towards patient-centred and function-preserving cancer treatment approaches.

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From Static Nests to Smart Habitats: USM’s Behaviour-Responsive Ecological System Rewrites Rodent Control

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – Researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) introduced an innovative ecological pest management system at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2026, reflecting a sustainable and technology-driven approach to rodent control within agricultural ecosystems.  Developed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasber Salim from the School of Biological Sciences, the innovation, TITO BOX® v3 integrated with ECHO-A, combines adaptive habitat engineering with species-specific acoustic attraction technology to strengthen biological rodent control using barn owls as natural predators.

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Strategic Microbiome Innovation in Addressing Global 
Antimicrobial Resistance

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – Researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) showcased a microbiome-based healthcare innovation at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2026, reflecting the growing global shift toward sustainable therapeutic approaches in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

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From Laboratory Discovery to Global Market Power: ITEX 2026 
Redefines the Future of Innovation

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026 – The International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2026 highlighted the expanding role of innovation within today’s global economy by positioning invention as part of a broader ecosystem involving intellectual property, commercialisation, industrial collaboration, and technological sustainability.

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HBP-USM Shines Bright at ISCU 2026 with 13 Prestigious Awards

USM PENANG, 19 May 2026 – The School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), proudly congratulates its Building Surveying (BS) and Quantity Surveying (QS) students for their outstanding achievement at the 18th International Surveying Conference for Undergraduates (ISCU 2026), held on 8 and 9 May 2026 at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor.

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COMM@LiT 2026 Strengthens Sustainable Community Engagement Through Phase One Implementation

PENANG, 18 May 2026 — COMM@ Love In Transit 2026 (COMM @ LiT 2026) marked its third consecutive year of collaboration with 'Pusat Transit Harapan Pulau Pinang', with continued support from Service-Learning Malaysia–University for Society (SULAM-USM).

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USM Interactive Dashboard System Boosts MINDEF MADANI 
Economy Projects Monitoring

KLUANG, JOHOR, 16 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues to demonstrate its expertise in information and communication technology through the development of the MADANI Economy Programme Dashboard System for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

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USM, NUAA Explore Strategic Physics Research Collaboration

USM PENANG, 6 May 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is strengthening its international academic network following a visit by delegates from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), China, to explore potential collaboration in physics research, academic exchange and talent development.

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USM recorded a strong showing at ITEX 2026 Malam Budaya Cipta, securing 6 Gold Awards and 4 Special Awards.


A meaningful recognition of the university’s continued strength in research, innovation and real-world impact.

USM introduced OwlSight at ITEX 2026, a scalable SOCaaS cybersecurity platform developed by CYRES, USM in collaboration with BitRanger.


Designed to support continuous threat monitoring, OwlSight offers a practical and sustainable solution for organisations with limited cybersecurity resources.

USM showcased TITO BOX® v3 integrated with ECHO-A at ITEX 2026, an ecological pest management innovation that uses smart habitat design and bioacoustic attraction to support rodent control through barn owls as natural predators.


Developed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasber Salim from the School of Biological Sciences, the innovation offers a sustainable approach to reducing pesticide dependency while strengthening ecological balance in agricultural environments.

USM showcased POLYNEX at ITEX 2026, a biomass-based compostable mulch innovation that turns agro-industrial waste into sustainable agricultural materials.


Led by Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan, the innovation supports greener farming practices while reducing reliance on conventional plastic mulch.

USM showcased Lassica K014®, a smart postbiotic technology, at ITEX 2026 as a microbiome-based innovation aimed at supporting future healthcare strategies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).


Developed by Associate Professor Dr. Tan Joo Shun and his research team from the School of Industrial Technology, USM, the innovation offers a sustainable approach that focuses on restoring microbial balance while helping suppress harmful microorganisms.


With strong commercialisation potential and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9 achievement, Lassica K014® reflects USM’s continued commitment to research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges.

EcoShield-X, a lead-free radiation shielding innovation developed by USM researchers from the Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), was showcased at ITEX 2026 as a sustainable solution for safer radiation protection.


Built with advanced nano-micro composite engineering and a modular interlocking design, EcoShield-X offers a lighter, adaptable and environmentally responsible alternative for healthcare and industrial radiation shielding applications.


Another USM innovation driving research with real-world impact.

37th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2026

📌 22 May 2026  |  The Star  |  Columnist  |  Page 14


📰 AI Will Reshape Work, but the Fine Print Still Matters


👤 Profesor Dr. Selvakumar Manickam

      Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES)

📌 20 May 2026  |  The Sun  |  Expert Interview  |  Page 2


📰 ‘Existing Legislation Covers Offence of Insulting Royalty’


👤 Associate Professor Dr. Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk

      Centre for Policy Research (CPR)

📌 19 May 2026 |The Sun | Columnist | Page 10


📰 When Wellness Becomes Pressure


👤 Dr. Mastura Mohd Sopian

      Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB)

📌 19 May 2026 | China Press | General News | Page 2


📰 Owl Nest Boxes in Oil Palm Plantations Help 16 Small Farm Owners 
      Control Rat Damage

Summary:

Jerantut, 18 May: The Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), the Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) collaborated to assist 16 smallholders in Kampung Labu, Jerantut, by installing barn owl nest boxes to reduce rat infestations in oil palm estates in the area.


The activity was also jointly organised with the Kampung Labu Village Development and Security Committee, while Jerantut Member of Parliament Datuk Roslan hosted the programme.


Roslan is also the former press secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

📌 19 May 2026  |  Sin Chew Daily  |  General News  |  Page 2


📰 The First Phase of COMM@LiT Service Concludes; Interactive Community 
      of Practical Care

Summary:


Penang, 18 May: The School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has successfully completed the first phase of its community service programme, COMM@LiT, last Saturday, 16 May. Through interaction with the community, students learned to show greater care and contribute more meaningfully to society.


The programme received support from the SULAM-USM community service initiative, with Sin Chew Daily serving as the media partner.


The first phase was carried out in collaboration with Hope Transit Centre through “COMM@Love In Transit 2026”. The programme was led by second-year Communication students from USM, with about 60 residents of the Hope Transit Centre in Penang taking part.

📌 18 May 2026  |  The Malaysian Reserve  |  Expert Interview  |  Page 17


📰 GSF Reflects Rising Pressure on Palestine


👤 Professor Dato' Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian

      School of Social Sciences

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