USM PENANG, 24 June 2026 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Physics, in collaboration with Bruker Malaysia, had organised two programmes in May aimed at strengthening the industry-academia collaboration, enhancing student exposure and promoting research engagement between academia and the industry.

The first programme, the 'Industry in Classroom' Programme, was held on 13 May and involved 53 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The session featured a technical sharing titled XRD/XRF Fundamentals and Data Analysis by Dr. Colin Slater, Manager of XRF Analytics Development at Bruker AXS. 

Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts through discussions on instrumentation, research applications, industrial practices and career opportunities in the field of scientific and analytical instrumentation.

The programme provided students with exposure to industrial applications and technologies while linking classroom learning with real-world practices.

The collaboration continued with the inaugural USM-Bruker Research Symposium 2026, which was held on 18 May at Bruker in Bayan Lepas, and brought together staff members, research officers, postgraduate students and undergraduates from the School of Physics, School of Chemical Sciences, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), and Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit (SERC), USM.

A total of 45 participants attended the symposium, comprising 11 staff members and research officers, 18 doctoral students, eight master's students and eight undergraduates.

The programme featured student research presentation sessions, which allowed participants to share their research projects, progress and challenges with fellow researchers and industry representatives.

Participants also joined an academic and industrial tour of the Bruker facility, where they were exposed to advanced instrumentation technologies, industrial workflows and research applications in analytical and material sciences.

Both programmes strengthened the relationship between USM and Bruker Malaysia while providing students and researchers with opportunities for professional exposure and networking.

The initiatives also reflected the School of Physics' commitment towards empowering students through strategic collaboration with industry partners and enhancing the integration of academic knowledge with practical applications.

The school expressed its appreciation to Bruker Malaysia for its support, technical sharing sessions, and commitment towards fostering research and educational collaboration with USM.

Text & Photos: Dr. Dian Alwani Zainuri, School of Physics, USM