USM PENANG, 10 December 2024 – The 10^th USM-RIKEN Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Advanced Sciences (URICAS) Symposium, held in conjunction with the URICAS Review Meeting, took place on 17-18 November 2024 at INFORMM's Conference Room 1, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

This milestone event marked another significant step in the enduring partnership between USM and RIKEN, fostering scientific excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The symposium also celebrated the long-standing history between the two institutions.
 

In his opening remarks, the URICAS Coordinator at RIKEN, Dr. Hiroshi Ohno  reflected on the journey of URICAS since its launch in 2015 as a five-year project under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on aging science.

He noted that the 2019 external review recommended broadening the research scope, evolving URICAS into the USM-RIKEN Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Advanced Sciences.

“Time flies, and there has been another five years past. During which we overcame the difficulty of the COVID pandemic, and we now have another external review today,” Ohno remarked.

 

He expressed his gratitude on behalf of RIKEN to the reviewers—Professor Dr. Li Jun (National University of Singapore), Professor Dr. Norazmi Mohd Nor (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Professor Dr. Yoko Sugawara (Professor Emeritus, Kitasato University), and Professor Ts. Dr. Muhammad Rahimi Yusop (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)—for their invaluable contributions to the review session.

Ohno also shared his hope for a bright future for URICAS, with continued success in fostering groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.

USM Coordinator for URICAS, Dr. Eugene Ong and USM Co-Coordinator for URICAS, Associate Professor Dr. Badrul Hisham Yahaya emphasised the critical role of URICAS as a platform to nurture Malaysia’s future scientific talent.

They highlighted its impact in enabling young academics and researchers to build networks with prolific scientists from RIKEN, advancing transdisciplinary research in fields such as life sciences, physics, chemistry, health, and medicine.

 

“While URICAS initially focused on aging science, it has since expanded into broader areas of advanced sciences,” said Eugene Ong.  

Both coordinators stressed the importance of inviting more young and senior scientists to join URICAS, especially alumni, encouraging them to reconnect and expand collaborations worldwide while maintaining the URICAS spirit.

Meanwhile, in her opening address, the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab lauded the long-standing friendship between USM and RIKEN.

Habibah highlighted USM’s support through matching grants, research attachments, and mobility programmes, ensuring the collaboration thrives.

She emphasised the shared mission of charting the direction for the next five years of impactful research.

The two-day programme featured presentations by researchers from USM and RIKEN, showcasing ongoing collaborative projects and introducing new studies seeking partnerships.

Young researchers were particularly encouraged to engage, reflecting the institutions' commitment to nurturing future scientific leaders.

The URICAS Symposium continues to serve as a vital platform for impactful scientific exchange, bridging expertise and fostering innovation between Malaysia and Japan.

Text: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Badrul Hisham Yahaya & Dr. Eugene Ong Boon Beng, INFORMM USM/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe