KUALA LUMPUR, 10 June – The Institute of Bio-Product Development (IBD) of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Chaipatanna Foundation of Thailand have inked a 5 year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10th June 2014 in conjunction with the 5th International Conference on Biotechnology for the Wellness Industry (5th ICBWI).
Dr Sumet Tantivejkul, the Honourable Secretary General of Chaipatanna Foundation was present together with UTM Kuala Lumpur Campus Director, Prof. Dr. Hamdani Saidi. Bearing witness to the event was Tan Sri Halim Ali, Chairman of UTM Board of Directors.
In 2013, a group of UTM’s IBD researchers participated in a training programme organized by the foundation with both parties collaborating and leveraging on each other’s strengths and expertise.
The synergy generated has fostered a strong alliance, with IBD and Chaipatanna Foundation currently embarking on developing bio-products in the food technology sector in which the output will be towards product commercialization that will bring economical and societal impact to both nations.
“Treating Nature with Nature” is the foundation’s tagline, which compliments IBD’s mission to create opportunities and solutions by empowering society through bio-product research and development.
In addition, Chaipatanna Foundation will also be sponsoring selected postgraduate students from Thailand’s high-ranking universities to undergo their studies here at UTM commencing September 2014.
Chaipatanna Foundation is established by his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, in which Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn is the Executive Chairperson.
The establishment of this foundation is intended to benefit the people of Thailand by providing a better platform to execute project activities which will in turn improve standards of living and employment, and sustain economic development.
The foundation works closely with universities and research institutes in Thailand. IBD, UTM is the first research institute in Malaysia with an MoU with Chaipatanna Foundation of Thailand
