December 18, 2024, by Rob Ounsworth
University of Nottingham Malaysia: research and KE highlights 2024
University of Nottingham Malaysia shares its research and knowledge exchange highlights of 2024, and looks ahead to 2025.
In 2024, the Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) Hub team at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) successfully secured 70 new grants with a value of RM15.2 million (£2.69m). This funding supports diverse initiatives, including contract and collaborative research as well as consultancy projects. The most significant grant of the year, RM11.3 million (£2m), was awarded by the Wellcome Trust for an eight-year research initiative focused on the early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases in underserved populations.
Our collaboration with long-term partner Yayasan Sime Darby continues to flourish, particularly in the ongoing Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) Project, now in its fourth phase, and the ASSESSCROP project. Additionally, the launch of the Food Processing Pilot Facility marks a milestone in enhancing climate resilience and supporting marginalised communities.
Collaborative opportunities in Indonesia
In August 2024, a UNM delegation led by Provost Professor David FitzPatrick and Vice-Provost for Research and Knowledge Exchange Professor Shahir Liew visited several leading universities in Indonesia. These visits aimed to explore collaborative opportunities in research projects, academic partnerships, and staff and student exchange programmes. As a result, we are advancing partnerships with institutions such as Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Monash University Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Diponegoro, Universitas Negeri Semarang, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember.
Our industrial engagement efforts have been bolstered by aligning with industry needs in areas such as energy, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and fostering halal innovation through blockchain technology applications. Several initiatives in these domains are already under way.
Knowledge transfer consortium
UNM RKE has also initiated the formation of a knowledge transfer consortium in collaboration with key partners, including Aerodyne Group, Smart Tradzt, Rich Trees Consultancy, and Neu Dimension Sdn Bhd. This consortium is designed to advance projects in environmental sustainability, technological integration, and biodiversity conservation.
A new sub-committee, the Postgraduate Student Experience Committee, is being established under the Student Experience Committee to oversee strategies related to the postgraduate research (PGR) student experience, aligning with UNM’s Strategic Plan.
Looking ahead to 2025: key research strengths
UNM RKE has conducted a detailed five-year analysis of academic publications and secured grants, identifying the university’s key research strengths as follows:
Renewable Energy
Health and Wellbeing
Food Resilience
Water Security
Leadership appointments for these signature strengths will be made in the first quarter of 2025. A new financial approach for research funding, including scholarships and enhanced support for early career researchers and postgraduate researchers will also be introduced.
UNM’s 25th anniversary celebrations
As part of UNM’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Professor Shahir Liew has spearheaded several initiatives to enhance the university’s value proposition. A notable milestone includes establishing UNM’s presence in Sarawak through the International Cancer Research Symposium, scheduled for May 2025. This initiative, led by researchers from Health and Wellbeing, is supported by the Sarawak State Government. Partnerships have been formed with key organisations such as the Sarawak Research Development Council, Sarawak Economic Development Council, Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, Yayasan Sarawak, and Sarawak Energy Berhad.
Additionally, the Undergraduate Energy Transition and Environmental Conference is set for 2025. This two-day event aims to raise awareness among students and graduates about sustainable energy production and consumption, as well as the environmental and economic impacts. The event is supported by the UK Energy Institute and local partners.
Looking further afield, the International Sustainability Symposium between Malaysia and Germany is planned for next year. UNM has also been appointed as a member of the first national Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) consortium, which will commence activities in 2025.
These achievements and future initiatives underscore UNM RKE’s commitment to driving impactful research, fostering collaboration, and championing sustainability.
Nengaswary Maniam
Head, Research and Knowledge Exchange Hub
University of Nottingham Malaysia
No comments yet, fill out a comment to be the first
Leave a Reply