PENANG, September 2015 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPSF) recently signed a Collaboration Agreement with SCFE Tech Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian subsidiary company of KCE Ltd. based in Japan that specialises in the manufacturing and extraction of biochemical products for health supplements, food additives and cosmetic industries.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said, he was glad that the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences has been identified by SCFE Tech Sdn. Bhd. as their collaborating research partner in the development of environmental friendly bio-products using green technology and eco-friendly technology which is in line with USM’s vision of transforming higher education for a sustainable tomorrow.

“Furthermore, as the APEX University, we are always looking for new opportunity to establishing a good network and relationship with the world-class industrial players from various fields at the national and international level especially in the realm of research, and SCFE Tech Sdn. Bhd. certainly fits the bill,” he said.

Omar added, through this collaboration, SCFE Tech will apply an advance and novel technology using high pressure supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SC-CO2 extraction) process to extract natural compounds of medicinal value from local plants.

“I hope USM researchers will leverage on such technology which is 100% environmental friendly and halal, and work together to explore in the research and development of new products over the span of three years with the installation of SCFE Tech’s high-end R&D equipment in USM.

“USM is also thankful to SCFE Tech for sponsoring a PhD candidate from PPSF to pursue his or her studies for three years in the related field,” Omar said further.    

Omar elaborated that such research collaborations also involves knowledge transfer from the industries which are very crucial and invaluable not only in expanding the research capability of the university, but will also be a great platform to bridge the knowledge between local scientists and Japanese scientists.

Signing the collaboration agreement on behalf of USM was the Vice-Chancellor and witnessed by the Dean of PPSF Professor Dr. Munavvar Zubaid Abdul Sattar while for SCFE Tech Sdn. Bhd., its President Mr. Toshihiro Hattori signed and witnessed by its Vice-President Ham Hon Pine.

Toshihiro said, SCFE Tech Sdn. Bhd. is equally happy to have the opportunity to link up with USM which is regarded as among the top universities in this region and hope to collaborate with USM in advancing the research and development of supercritical technology in the development of environmental friendly bio-products.

“We believe with USM elaborate research facilities and human resources together with knowledge sharing from our Japanese scientists, we will be able to continuously come out with new products within a 3 years gestation period. We are confident this is possible with the support of the capable and knowledgeable team from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in USM,” he said.

Toshihiro added that SCFE Tech will also be installing R&D equipment in USM besides sponsoring a PhD student for 3 years and placing scientists and engineers in USM to support the research in the first phase.

Also present at the signing ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network) Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey, Dean of the School of Management Professor Dr. Fauziah Md. Taib and the University principal officers.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz & Siti Naquiah Abdillah

Editing: Mohamad Abdullah

Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa.​