NTU EXPRESSES INTEREST IN RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS WITH USM
Teks: Mohd Kamil Ashar (
Foto: Bani Faidzzainami Baniyamin (
NIBONG TEBAL, 11 December 2015 – Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore via the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) has expressed the interest in collaborating with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in the research field focusing on water and any studies related to water and the environment.
The Campus Director, Professor Dr. Zainal Arifin Mohd Ishak said the meeting between NTU and USM is very important and would provide exposure as well as long-term benefits in the national research development specifically.
“I believe this is a good start in determining the strategy in the next research which would help the community and society”, he said.
He elaborated we only see and collaborate with universities and organizations which are located physically far and overlooked that we have neighbours which are closer and can definitely help in research developments.
“This is a great opportunity and we need to view it within a broader scope of the present day challenges”, he added.
Therefore, he said, such collaborations is aligned with the university’s expectations which is to turn USM as one of the leading universities in the world by 2025”, said Zainal Arifin during his last speech for the visit program which was held at the Seminar Hall, Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC).
Executive Director, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Professor Ng Wun Jern, said he was very satisfied with the treatment and presentation made by the Director of Engineering Campus regarding USM as a whole.
“We are a research institution that focuses entirely on water and anything that is related to water”, said Wun Jern in his presentation regarding NEWRI to the School and Research Centers representatives here yesterday.
“We are still not comprehensive in the field and our presence here is nothing short of wanting to learn and cooperate in the development of research institution specializing in the study of water and environment”, added Wun Jern.
Meanwhile, Senior Research Fellow and Water Research, NEWRI, Dr. Maszenan Abdul Majid said, there are three things discovered as a result of the visit, namely water safety, membrane and the use of waste or residue for energy production.
“The discussion today has given us the opportunity to collaborate with USM in the research of new membranes by using more resilient energy where the water containing magnesium is drinkable”, said Maszenan.
According to him, NEWRI will provide a full report as well as the methodology in the collaboration with USM before bringing it to the higher authorities.
A total of 21 delegates present were also taken for a tour of the laboratories and facilities available at the Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC).