KUALA LUMPUR, 13 April 2015 – The credibility of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as one of the best universities in trans-disciplinary research is proven yet again after being selected by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MoE) to lead a research in dealing with environmental problems and global warming.

The Higher Education Department, MoE has awarded a grant to USM under the NanoMalaysia Institute For Innovative Technology (NanoMITe) Consortium valued at 2.5 million for the next 5 years beginning 1 February 2015 until 31 January 2020.

Heading the research project is Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, from the School of Chemical Engineering together with 10 other researchers, including experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Monash University.

The USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Jantan said, in acquiring this grant, USM would be able to conduct researches leading to the initiatives in dealing with environmental problems faced by the country.

“USM always strives for the best innovative solution within the stipulated time to ensure it is ready for commercialisation,” said Muhamad Jantan.

Around RM500 million worth of research assets has been acquired from internal or external sources, allowing researchers in the country to develop the best products in the field of nano-technology.

Muhamad Jantan added, the grant acquired would be fully utilised to fulfil the aspirations of NanoMITe and MoE.

Muhamad Jantan represented the Vice-Chancellor of USM at the launching ceremony of Malaysia Institute of Innovative Nanotechnology (NanoMITe) by the Minister of Education II Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh, at the Dewan Utama, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur here today.

Others who attended include the President of Akademi Sains Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali and the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar.

Abdul Rahman who was there in accepting the grant said, it is hoped that this research will bear fruit by utilising nano-technology to assist the country in finding solutions to the various environmental problems.

“The research would lean towards converting carbon dioxide into other useful products to benefit the country, such as methanol and other fuel sources, which is hoped to have an impact within the next five years,” said Abdul Rahman.

He disclosed further that, this research also includes Professors from the New York Academy of Science and Japan.

The launching ceremony was organised by Akademi Sains Negara together with the MoE and UTM.

NanoMite is a global research consortium consisting of 38 top nano-scientists from world-renowned academic institutions and centres of excellence from Malaysia, United States, Germany, Canada and China.

The consortium which has five programmes including energy, environment, electronics devices and systems, food and agriculture and wellness, medical and healthcare is also aimed to address global issues such as poverty, lack of clean water supply and low agricultural efficiency. - Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text & Photos: Mohd Azrul Mohd Azhar