PETRA GROUP AND GREEN RUBBER VISIT USM TO EXPLORE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

USM PENANG, 19 August 2026 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) welcomed a delegation from PETRA Group and Green Rubber Global for a courtesy visit and strategic discussion aimed at exploring potential collaboration in technology innovation, research and commercialisation.

The delegation, led by Chairman of PETRA Group and Green Rubber, Datuk Dr. Vinod B. Sekhar, was welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dr. Habibah A. Wahab, together with Professor Dr. Mohd Hazwan Hussin, Professor Ts. Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Ariff, Associate Professor Ts. Chm. Dr. Noorfatimah Yahaya, Associate Professor Dr. Raa Khimi Shuib and Nur Mariyam Musa.

During the visit, PETRA Group expressed its interest in establishing the Advanced Engineering & Technology Centre at USM as a platform to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial commercialisation.

The proposed centre is envisioned to support technology development, pilot-scale validation, industry partnerships, talent development and the commercialisation of high-impact innovations from USM and Malaysia's research community.

The initiative also forms part of PETRA Group's broader vision to facilitate the advancement of Malaysian technologies onto the global stage.

Among the potential areas discussed was the possibility of connecting USM's research capabilities with the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) in the United Kingdom to create opportunities for international technology collaboration, validation and commercialisation.

The proposed collaboration also carries historical significance given the connection between USM and the late Tan Sri Dr. Balachandra Chakkingal Sekhar (B. C. Sekhar), a pioneer of Malaysia's rubber industry and father of Datuk Dr. Vinod B. Sekhar.

The late Tan Sri Dr. B. C. Sekhar was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by USM in 1981.

The visit reflects the shared interest of USM, PETRA Group and Green Rubber in strengthening university-industry collaboration and exploring opportunities to advance Malaysian research and innovation towards wider industrial and global applications.

Text and photo: Courtesy of the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering