JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 16 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia, and The University of Osaka (UOsaka), Japan, organised the 5th Molecular, Cellular, and Life Science Conference (MCLS 2026) from 14 to 15 October 2026 at Pulai Springs Resort, Johor.

Carrying the theme “Advancing Molecular and Cellular Sciences for Sustainable Future”, the conference brought together 55 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, including researchers, academics and experts in life sciences and related fields. The gathering provided a platform for participants to share knowledge and discuss research developments across institutional and national boundaries.

The opening ceremony began with welcoming remarks by the Chairperson of the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), Prof. M. Miftahussurur, followed by remarks from the Chair of MCLS 2026, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Roshanida A. Rahman. The conference was officiated by Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Strategy and Global Eminence (SAGE), UTM, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Husain, in the presence of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), UTM, Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat.

Also attending were international co-host representatives, Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih from Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, and Prof. Dr. Kazuhito Fujiyama from The University of Osaka, Japan, reflecting the partnership among the three institutions.

In her remarks, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Roshanida highlighted the conference’s history of international collaboration, which began in 2015 through a partnership between Universitas Airlangga and The University of Osaka. UTM subsequently joined the collaboration as a co-host during the fourth edition, held in Osaka, Japan, and now hosts the fifth edition in Johor Bahru.

She emphasised the importance of sustaining this partnership to strengthen existing academic relationships and foster new connections among researchers and institutions.

The conference featured keynote lectures by experts from Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and the Netherlands, alongside invited talks, oral presentations and scientific discussions. These sessions gave participants opportunities to exchange research findings, share expertise and explore emerging developments in life sciences. The programme also created space for dialogue on research approaches and potential areas of common interest.

MCLS 2026 highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary research in addressing global challenges, particularly in healthcare, biotechnology, food security and environmental sustainability.

By encouraging interaction among researchers from different institutions and countries, the programme supported knowledge exchange and opportunities to strengthen academic partnerships.

Held in conjunction with the 2026 Executive Board Meeting of the WUACD, the conference further supported international academic engagement and knowledge sharing.

Overall, MCLS 2026 reinforced UTM’s commitment to strengthening international research collaboration, promoting scientific exchange and advancing research in molecular, cellular and life sciences towards sustainable development and societal impact.