Advancement through research
THE UTAR Intervarsity Science Symposium (UISS) 2016 concluded at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar Campus and saw the active participation of postgraduate students from UTAR and other public and private universities in Malaysia.
Jointly organised by UTAR’s Centre for Biodiversity Research (CBR) and Faculty of Science, the seminar saw more than 20 postgraduate researchers assembling to present their research and development (R&D) findings as well as research experiences in various fields, including chemistry, biological sciences, agriculture, food science and health sciences.
The enriching presentations were supplemented with talks by nine distinguished speakers.
“With the theme Embark on Science for Future Advancement, the symposium aims to provide an opportunity for postgraduate students to promote their research to the public via poster and oral presentations as well as create a platform for interaction with experts from the industrial and academic sectors,” said organising committee chairman Dr Tey Lai Hock.
CBR chairperson Dr Wong Wey Lim added, “Advancements in science and technology are the key drivers in improving living standards and economic development.
“It is important for researchers, industrial representatives and stakeholders to come together in sharing up-to-date knowledge to accelerate the creation of novel innovations in science.”
Stimulating events such as these are a regular fixture for UTAR’s postgraduate students. The university insists on providing consistent exposure to cutting-edge research to continually broaden students’ minds without neglecting crossdisciplinary instruction and hands-on practical training.
These efforts, along with all of UTAR’s postgraduate programmes and R&D activities, are coordinated by the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR).
According to IPSR director Prof Dr Faidz Abd Rahman, “The institute functions as a central body ensuring that the programmes and R&D projects are well administered and monitored to provide the best possible R&D experience.
“In line with our motto Intellectual Pursuits through Sustainable Research, the postgraduate programmes offered are designed to encompass a large share of R&D activities to provide students with the most up-to-date technical knowledge and skills.
“Embarking on a postgraduate programme will help students get more out of their careers as it broadens and enhances knowledge and thinking skills, thus giving them an edge over their contemporaries.”
IPSR has endeavoured to cultivate innovative research, which can be seen from the number of grants received by UTAR researchers from local and international organisations.
UTAR’s postgraduate studies may be completed by coursework or research or a combination of both. This ensures flexibility to suit diverse individual needs and learning styles.
UTAR was awarded
Tier 5: Excellent status in the 2011 and 2013 Rating for Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia (Setara’11 and Setara’13), Tier 5: Excellent in Discipline-Based Rating System (D-Setara) for engineering as well as Tier 4: Very Good in D-Setara for health sciences.
The university offers more than 110 academic programmes at the foundation, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.
The Open Day will be held on March 25 and 26, April 8 and 9 and May 6 and 7 from 9am to 5pm at UTAR Kampar Campus in Perak and UTAR Sungai Long Campus in Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor.
UTAR provides extended counselling hours at both campuses daily (except for public holidays) from 9am to 5pm.