JOHOR BAHRU, June 13 – A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony was held today at Bilik Mesyuarat Utama (BMU), Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building, UTM Johor Bahru, between the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD) and NUMOM Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
This event signifies a major stride in cultivating a robust industry relationship and promoting a research culture that drives innovation-based economic growth, ultimately benefiting all segments of society in accordance with UTM’s Research and Innovation Blueprint 2025.
The MoA was signed by UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, and Madam Nurun Nadia Masrom, CEO of NUMOM (M) Sdn Bhd.
During the ceremony, Datuk Ahmad Fauzi highlighted the project’s focus on revolutionizing unrefined coconut oil into breastfeeding mothers’ healthcare product, endowed with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, as well as providing deep moisturizing and calming effects.
“I am delighted to witness the commitment of UTM IBD and Numom (M) Sdn Bhd in forging closer collaboration and ties, leveraging each other’s strengths to lead translational research in biotechnology,” expressed Datuk Ahmad Fauzi.
Nurun Nadia added, “This project aims to benefit breastfeeding mothers, enhancing their breastfeeding experience as we acknowledge that some mothers encounter painful and traumatic breastfeeding situations.”
She further stated, “We aspire that this research collaboration with UTM will not only benefit breastfeeding mothers worldwide but also extend its benefits to diabetic patients and others.”
Led by Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari, the IBD project team aims to develop healthcare products for breastfeeding mothers. This innovative project has the potential to promote good health and well-being (SDG 3) while enhancing the overall quality of life.
Esteemed representatives from NUMOM (M) Sdn Bhd and UTM were also in attendance, including Director of NUMOM (M) Sdn Bhd, Mr. Mawardi bin Maskam; Director of IBD UTM, Professor Dr. Hesham A. El-Enshasy; Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Science UTM, Prof. Dr. Suhairul Hashim, as well as IBD officials.
