JOHOR BAHRU, 25 July 2016 – The Institute of Bioproduct Development of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (IBDUTM) has been chosen by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to conduct the Natural Products Chemistry Training & Development Programme under its Training and Development Provision.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Rohan Perera, OPCW’s Senior International Cooperation Officer who together with Prof Ramlan Aziz (IBD’s Director) have been instrumental in forging connections between the two entities and designing the programme.
Organised for the 5th year, the intensive 2.5 week program aims to train 16 professionals comprising scientists, academicians and policy makers on the peaceful use of chemistry and in IBD’s context specifically on utilising natural resources (plants) into high value bioproducts.
The knowledge transfer programme will expose participants to theoritical and practical aspects of natural products chemistry and product development by leveraging on IBD’s multidisplinary eco-system and expertise. Additionally, the program involves visits to local bioproduct and bioprocessing industries.
This year’s program is participated by 16 member states namely Algeria, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Congo, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Malaysia.
To date, UTM IBD has trained 80 professionals from more than 20 member states since 2012 and is the only research institute representing Malaysia offering this course.