JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 18 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand, successfully organized a one-day workshop at the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM. This knowledge exchange workshop is a key component of the ongoing research activities under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UTM and SUT, which came into effect on December 7, 2022, and will remain in force for three years.
Led by Dr. Nicole Leong Hong Yeng from the Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Science, UTM, and Assistant Professor Dr. Kamolchanok Umnajkitikorn from the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT), SUT, the workshop served as a platform for students and lecturers from both institutions to exchange research insights and experiences. A total of 12 participants, including 5 lecturers, 6 postgraduate students, and 1 undergraduate student, attended the event.
The workshop was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning, participants took part in a hands-on session on Molecular Docking techniques, demonstrated by Dr. Muhammad Helmi Nadri, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM. The afternoon session featured a laboratory demonstration by Assistant Professor Dr. Kamolchanok Umnajkitikorn and her PhD student, Saranyapath Pairintra, on plant messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) extraction techniques, including extraction quality evaluation based on RNA concentration and the procedure to determine RNA integrity.
This knowledge transfer initiative is expected to elevate the research quality of postgraduate students from both universities, enhancing the impact of future joint research and publications. The workshop underscores both UTM and SUT’s commitment to empowering lecturers and students as champions of international research collaboration. Furthermore, it aligns with UTM’s mission to nurture high-quality graduates by providing professional learning platforms that expand their research horizons.
Several key initiatives were also discussed during the workshop, including joint research and publications, student and academic staff exchange programs, and collaborative research seminars, workshops, and conferences. This collaboration is poised to enhance the global standing of both UTM and SUT at the national and international levels.
