USM PENANG, 14 August 2022 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently (5 August 2022) organised a hybrid sharing session entitled ‘Making the Best of LIFE’ by Aldo Carrascoso, CEO and co-founder of InterVenn Biosciences.

He was invited to share on his life experience and extensive background in the industry and start-ups. This is part of the initiative under the USM LIFE and midLIFE programmes.

The aim of this programme is to provide exposure and opportunity to USM undergraduates for them to explore various modules (science and non-science) through experiential learning.

It is hoped that this programme will empower students with perspectives and skill sets needed to survive beyond campus life as this LIFE programme is an initiative from the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

During the session, USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan gave an overview on the university profile, background, achievements and facilities provided at USM.

Meanwhile, Aldo shared on his life journey, experiences and his core principles in business and in life namely, innovation and creativity; purpose; experience; empathy and active listening; resilience and integrity.

Innovation and Creativity – There is always a better way.

Purpose – Always begin with the end in mind.

Experience experience – Don’t find your purpose, experience it.

Empathy and Active Listening – Seek first to understand before expecting to be understood.

Resilience – When going through hell, just go through it.

Integrity – You define you and nobody else.

At the same event, USM and InterVenn Biosciences signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at The Nest@USM to collaborate in Glycoproteomics (GP) Cluster Programme and explore glycoproteomics-based colorectal cancer biomarker projects, and also apprenticeship programmes involving USM postgraduate students known as the InterVenn Apprenticeship Programme (IAP) which has been established between USM and InterVenn.

Also present were the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Development Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman; InterVenn Biosciences Malaysia General Manager, Fadzhairi Abd Jabar; Head of The LIFE and midLIFE Programme, Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das; members of The LIFE and midLIFE Programme teams and representatives of colorectal cancer working group from the USM School of Medical Sciences (Professor Dr. Lee Yeong Yeh, Associate Professor Dr. Andee Dzulkarnaen Zakaria and Dr. Marahaini Musa).

Aldo and Fadzhairi also visited the Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre (ABrC) at Sains@USM, where they had a dialogue session with IAP apprentices who did their apprenticeship with InterVenn Malaysia, with the session chaired by ABrC Director, Professor Dr. Zafarina Zainuddin.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa & Shahnizam Ab Rahim