UTM, Xi’an University strengthen collaboration in plant breeding biotechnology

Dr. Raihana Ridzuan

📝 Summary

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Xi’an University in China have strengthened their collaboration in plant breeding biotechnology through a 14-day international training program. The program led to the signing of a Letter of Intent to explore joint research opportunities, including the establishment of a China-Malaysia Joint Laboratory on Aerospace Breeding and Biomedicine. The collaboration aims to promote academic exchange and technical knowledge sharing in plant breeding, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture.

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 10 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through its Faculty of Science, hosted the 14-Day International Training Programme on Advanced Plant Breeding with Applications in Aerospace Research and Sustainable Bioproducts, involving delegates from Xi’an University, China. The programme promoted collaboration in plant breeding research and biotechnology, culminating in a Letter of Intent (LoI) to explore joint research opportunities.

Delegates from Xi’an University and UTM Faculty of Science posing with research officers from the Crop Improvement Group, Agrotechnology and Biosciences Division at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency

At the Malaysian Nuclear Agency in Kajang, participants explored mutation breeding technologies and facilities for mutant paddy lines, and attended courses on seed and vegetative crop mutation breeding and cytogenetics led by Faiz Ahmad, Norazlina Nordin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Razik Midin.

An interactive intensive training session on plant mutation breeding at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency

At UTM Johor Bahru, Head of the Department of Biosciences Dr. Mohd Helmi Sani welcomed the delegation. Laboratory training by Dr. Abdul Fatah Ab Samad, titled “Next-Gen DNA: Extract, Analyze, Authenticate”, was complemented by presentations from Dr. Raihana Ridzuan on germplasm stress-resistance screening, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alina Wagiran on somatic embryogenesis and rice tissue culture, and Dr. Azman Abd Samad on preserving tropical biological resources and medicinal germplasm.

Delegation group photo in front of the Faculty of Science, UTM

Head of Department of Biosciences UTM, Dr. Mohd Helmi Sani (left), receiving a gift from Dean of School of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University, Prof. Dr. Zhang Jiudong (right) at Al-Dinawari Hall

Other sessions covered biopharmaceutical screening by Dr. Nazrin Abd Aziz, soil health by Dr. Fazilah Abd Manan and Dr. Huszalina Hussin, and roselle-based products and antidiabetic applications by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Pauliena Mohd Bohari.

A key milestone was a strategic dialogue on the proposed China-Malaysia Joint Laboratory on Aerospace Breeding and Biomedicine, facilitated by Deputy Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, Dr. Goh Kian Mau, Dr. Zaidah and Global Affairs Manager Dr. Firdaus.

Faculty of Science Dean Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir and Xi’an University Vice President Prof. Dr. Bao Feng delivered welcoming speeches. The LoI was signed by Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir and the Dean of the School of Biological and Environment Engineering at Xi’an University, Prof. Zhang Jiudong.

Official signing of the LoI between the Deans representing their respective faculties to solidify cross-institutional collaboration

Xi’an University delegation and event speakers gathered for a commemorative group photo at UTM’s Faculty of Science

The programme included community engagement in Kangkar Pulai, with Malay cultural performances, traditional food and visits to a community garden, recycling cabin and library. Opening addresses were delivered by Perbadanan Kenari representative Rosli Othman, Dr. Raihana Ridzuan from UTM and Xi’an University representative Prof. Dr. Wang Xijian. Participants also visited the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) in Kluang to learn about oil palm breeding and clonal propagation, including controlled hand pollination.

Participants, delegates, and young performers gathered in traditional attire during the Cultural Day celebrations in front of the community library

Delegates from Xi’an University, China, led by Vice-President, Prof. Dr. Bao Feng (6th from left), together with Dean, Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. Shafinaz (2nd from right), in a group photo with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Prof. Ts. Dr. Ali Selamat (6th from right), at the Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building, UTM Johor Bahru.

MPOB field experts demonstrating controlled hand pollination procedures on oil palms for the Xi’an University delegation and UTM Faculty of Science research team

At the Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA), Pagoh, ICA Director Prof. Dr. Hesham Ali Metwally Ali El-enshasy welcomed participants to sessions on marker-assisted selection for Malaysian chilli lines by Dr. Raihana Ridzuan and chilli genetic diversity by Zulaikha Sarobo.

Delegates touring and engaging in discussion at the Halal Incubator Laboratory.

Delegation and university representatives pictured with ICA Director Prof. Dr. Hesham (front row, 2nd from left)

The programme’s reported activities concluded in Sekinchan, Selangor, with visits to a paddy seed production plant and rice fields, where participants learned about seed processing, grading, packaging and storage, and took part in practical rice planting.

Prof. Dr. Bao testing the automated irrigation machine at the rice seedling plot

Commemorative group photo at the HMN Paddy Nursery

The programme provided a platform for academic exchange and technical knowledge sharing in plant breeding, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture, while opening avenues for further research collaboration between UTM and Xi’an University.