JOHOR BAHRU, 11 September – 94 participants from local and international universities presented papers in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Biology at the Regional Annual Fundamental Science Symposium (RAFSS) 2014 organized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Ibnu Sina Institute of Fundamental Studies (IISUTM).
The two-day conference which commenced on 8 September 2014 was held at Persada Johor and inaugurated by the Pro-Chancellor of UTM, Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor.
Chairman of RAFSS 2014, Prof. Dr. Tahir Ahmad said the symposium was jointly organized by Osaka University, Japan with the University’s representative, Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Umakoshi presenting a paper an an invited speaker.
Apart from Prof. Hiroshi, five other renowned researchers, namely,  Prof. Dr. Gopinathan Sankar (University College of London, United Kingdom), Prof. Hoe Tan (The Australian National University, Australia), Prof. Dr. Yeoung-Sang Yun (Chonbuk National University, South Korea), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Izani Md. Ismail (Universiti Sains Malaysia) and Prof. Dr. Samsudi Sakrani (UTM), presented papers in their capacity as  guest speakers.
Prof. Tahir said, a total of 22 students under the UTM Nobel Scientist Programme (PSANUTM) also participated in this international symposium.
“RAFSS 2014 received a sponsorship of RM 72, 400.00 from 18 local and international companies.”
“Among the biggest contributor is Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd with a total contribution of RM20, 000.00,” Prof. Dr. Tahir Ahmad added.
For their support and contribution, all sponsors received a certificate of appreciation from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Mohd. Ismail Abd. Aziz at the Symposium’s Appreciation Dinner held at Persada Johor on 9 September 2014.