BUKIT JAMBUL, 28 May 2024 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), in collaboration with the Asian Society of Ichthyologists (ASI), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) with support from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Indonesia and IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia today joined forces to hold the the 7th International Conference of the Asian Society of Ichthyologists 2024 (ASIIC 2024).

The conference was resumed after a four-year hiatus due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the theme “Exploring Species Diversity and Resilience of Asian Fishes in a Changing Environment”, the 2-day conference is particularly pertinent, given the current and future global concerns caused by uncontrolled anthropogenetic activities, such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change.

The opening ceremony held at Auditorium Murad Mohd Noor, SAINS@USM this morning was graced by the presence of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab, representing the USM Vice-Chancellor.

In her speech, Habibah emphasised that this event aligns with efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life Below Water (SDG 14).

She highlighted that addressing these interconnected goals not only advances scientific understanding, but also fosters practical solutions for sustainable development and environmental conservation.

“It is hoped that through international collaboration and knowledge sharing at this conference, participants would enhance their understanding of complex issues related to biodiversity conservation,” she said.

Meanwhile ASIIC 2024 Chairperson, Professor Dr. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor in her welcoming speech expressed her confidence that this conference would strengthen professional bonds among ichthyologists working in Asia's biodiverse regions.

The exchange of ideas and expertise here is poised to drive innovation and inspire groundbreaking research initiatives in this field.

The keynote address was delivered following that by the Curator of Ichthyology, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Dr. Tan Heok Hui entitled “Encheloclarias – A Cryptic Acid-Water Catfish from Sundaland, A Critical Update."

The conference will be held from 28 to 29 May 2024 with the participation of over 180 delegates from 16 countries.

Also present were the USM SBS Dean, Professor Dato’ Dr. Amirul Al-Ashraf Abdullah; principal officers of universities and head of departments.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa

USM PENANG, 19 March 2024 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6) recently marks a significant milestone in its collaborative journey involving government, industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia by organising a dialogue session entitled ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Transformation for a Sustainable Net-Zero Future,’ supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Aligned with the Penang state government's agenda, the programme has brought together 60 participants from the government, industry, NGOs and academia with the aim of exploring innovations and technologies to safeguard the environment through scientific advancements.

The event was graced with the presence of the Member of the Penang State Executive Council (Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital), YB Zairil Khir Johari.

In his officiating address, Zairil Khir emphasised the critical importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) data at the state level, recognising the necessity for high-quality statistics in measuring and monitoring SDG progress.

He underscored the state government's commitment to data transformation, highlighting the pivotal role of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Advanced Data Analytics.

“These technologies not only provide unprecedented insights into our complex environment, but they also empower us to formulate data-driven strategies to reduce climate risks and foster resilience,” he said.

Zairil Khir also urged organisations to harness the power of technology for the betterment of the planet and future generations, advocating for increased collaboration, innovation attraction in Penang, and resource optimisation.

NAv6 Director, Associate Professor Dr. Selvakumar Manickam highlighted that there are many siloed systems, with everyone creating their own solutions.

“It is important for entities to undergo digital transformation, as there is a collective realisation that by working together, we can more effectively address issues such as climate change,” he said.

The programme featured guest speakers from diverse industries who deliberated on climate change mitigation, cross-sectoral collaboration, challenges, opportunities, and strategies for utilising technology to address pressing environmental concerns and drive sustainable development.

Throughout the session, it became evident that decarbonisation holds paramount importance for both the public and private sectors.

Therefore, the exchange of data and collaboration among government, industry, and academia are essential in implementing effective strategies and addressing complex environmental challenges.

Also present at the session was the programme chairperson and senior lecturer at NAv6, Dr. Chong Yung Wey. 

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: IPv6 USM

BANGI, 16 May 2024 - A group of students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has once again demonstrated its excellence in implementing environmental and sustainability initiatives, and aligning closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 10th Malaysian International Seminar on Antarctica with the theme “Polar Research for Sustainability & Planetary Health” was organised from 14 - 16 May 2024 at Bangi Resort Hotel in Bangi, Selangor, where it was officiated by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu, the Patron of the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM).

The USM students who participated in The Sustainable Antarctica Competition 2024 - TikTok Creative Video Competition that was held in conjunction with the seminar had achieved outstanding success. Competing amongst 150 participants, they won multiple top awards, showcasing their creativity and commitment to sustainability.

Lee Ling Hui, a second-year student from the Bioresource Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, USM won the Grand Prize with her winning video.

Phang Khang Wei, a third-year student from the Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, USM secured the Second Prize.

Chin Pei Yi, also a third-year student from the Food Technology Division, won a Consolation Prize.

The team of Nadiah Mohammad Yusof and Nur Arni Sabrina Azmin, both fourth-year students from the School of Biological Sciences, also won another Consolation Prize.

Meanwhile, a student from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Ahmad Adam Osman Nurhazli won the "Most Liked Video" category.

The awards were presented by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad during the seminar.

Other notable achievements by USM extended beyond the video competition.

Jiei Kobe from the Environmental Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, USM, secured the First Prize for ‘Best Oral Presentation’ with his final-year project titled "Mercury Reduction by Micrococcus sp. Isolated from Signy Island, Antarctica."

This research is a collaborative effort between USM and the British Antarctic Survey, supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Japareng Lalung and Professor Dr. Peter Convey. The project aligns with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by addressing the impact of mercury pollution on ecosystems.

Adding to the accolades, Associate Professor Dr. Yusri Yusup from the Environmental Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, USM, was announced as a recipient of the YPASM grant worth RM130,000 for his project titled “Enhancing Understanding of Antarctic Atmospheric Processes and their Teleconnection to the Monsoons in the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia through Comprehensive Data Management.”

The award was presented to him by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu. This project supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing understanding of climate processes and their effects.

Both the Sustainable Antarctica Competition 2024 and the 10th Malaysian International Seminar on Antarctica provided a significant platform for highlighting innovative research and creative approaches aimed at promoting sustainability and planetary health.

The remarkable achievements by USM underscore its dedication to environmental stewardship and its leadership in education and research on sustainability and contributing to various SDGs, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

For more details about the competition, visit Sustainable Antarctica Competition 2024. To learn more about the seminar, visit 10th Malaysian International Seminar on Antarctica.

Text: Associate Professor Dr. Japareng Lalung (School of Industrial Technology, USM)/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

USM PULAU PINANG, 22 April 2024 - Bersempena dengan Sambutan Hari Bumi 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) hari ini menyokong inisiatif yang dianjurkan oleh Yayasan Amal TYT dan Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang dengan mengambil bahagian dalam Program Penanaman 1 Juta Pokok Peringkat USM yang ditanam secara serentak di seluruh negeri Pulau Pinang.

Sebanyak 8,500 pokok ditanam di ketiga-tiga kampus USM dengan penglibatan seramai 1,000 sukarelawan dalam kalangan staf dan pelajar USM di Kampus Induk, Kampus Kejuruteraan dan IPPT Bertam.

Hadir bagi menyokong program ini adalah Naib Canselor USM, Profesor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed bersama Timbalan-timbalan Naib Canselor USM.

Abdul Rahman berkata, sebagai sebuah institusi pendidikan yang menyokong amalan kelestarian, program seperti ini telah mencapai Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDG) 13, Tindakan Iklim dan SDG 15, Kehidupan di Darat.

“Antara pokok yang ditanam adalah pokok limau kasturi yang dapat menghasilkan buah serta penanaman pokok kelat paya dan beberapa pokok balak yang mana dapat memberi banyak faedah kepada alam sekitar, antaranya dapat menurunkan suhu persekitaran dan membantu meningkatkan kualiti hidup dalam kampus selain menyerap karbon dioksida (CO2) di persekitaran USM,” katanya.

Bagi pihak USM, Abdul Rahman merakamkan ucapan ribuan terima kasih dan penghargaan kepada semua pihak yang telah memberi sumbangan dan menjadikan program ini sangat bermakna untuk generasi masa kini dan akan datang.

Pada majlis yang sama, Abdul Rahman turut melancarkan gimik Perasmian Kebun Limau Kasturi@USM.

Abdul Rahman kemudian turut beramah mesra bersama warga Pertubuhan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) USM yang turut menanam pokok di kawasan PPDK USM.

Teks: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Foto: NirMaryadi Rashid & Shahnizam Ab Rahim

PENANG, 20 May 2024 – The 35th International Invention, Innovation, Technology Competition & Exhibition 2024 (ITEX’24) was held at the KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur on 16-17 May 2024. 

The participants shared and competed through their presentations, inventions and innovations, while ensuring that meaningful connections can be established among the great minds who attended the event with their ideas and visions.

Among the winners of the competition, held as part of the event, was PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. (PRSB) and USAINS Infotech Sdn. Bhd., the commercial arm of USM.

Universti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed was the principal researcher leading the USM team, working together with the PRSB team on the innovation/invention “Catalytic CO2 Gasification of wastes for low-carbon syngas production (CO2SYN)” that won the awards.

The awards won were the ‘ITEX 2024 Gold Medal’, and the ‘Tun Lim Keng Yaik Award for Best invention in Technology Reversing Climate Change’ at the event.

Abdul Rahman led the 7 researchers (USM team: Dr. Khaled Ali Al-attab & Dr. Pooya Lahijani; PRSB team: Dr. Chan Yi Herng, Dr. Syarifah Nor Faizah Syed Abdul Rahman, Dr. Siti Hajar Khalit & Hazratul Mumtaz Lahuri) on this innovation, which concerns with finding an alternative method to syngas production.

Synthesis gas, or syngas, is a gaseous fuel mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), and it is an important resource for various industrial processes.

Current methods of syngas production would result in a high carbon footprint. The alternative method of CO2 gasification process to produce syngas could mitigate the high carbon footprint and reduce the impact on the environment.

PETRONAS has filed two patents for this technology, which relates to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The project has also been published in 13 high-impact factor journals.

As Asia’s leading invention, innovation, technology competition and exhibition event, ITEX’24 brought together a diverse and talented group of participants from leading institutions and industries, coming from different parts of the world.

The event was organised by the Asian Caucus of Invention Associations (ACIA), and co-organised by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS). It is supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI) and endorsed by MATRADE.

Source: Dr. Khaled Ali Al-attab & Nathalie Yong (USAINS Infotech Sdn. Bhd.)/Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: ITEX'24 official Fb page