July 26, 2023, by Lisa Chin

Graduate School Newsletter, August 2023

Bulletin Issue 05/23 (49)

The needs of the postgraduate and early career researcher community are at the heart of what we do at the Graduate School.

Read on for all the latest news from us.


News and guidance 

Beyond ordinary: Showcasing our extraordinary postgraduate research excellence

At the Graduate School, we take great pride in our exceptional postgraduate researchers and their remarkable research endeavours. Our annual Postgraduate Showcase stands as a testament to our commitment to public engagement, providing a platform to showcase the pinnacle of postgraduate research excellence to a diverse audience. With the challenge of presenting their complex and technical research using just posters, this showcase pushes our postgraduate research students to translate their work into a broader picture with profound relevance.

This year, our showcase took centre stage on Thursday 20 July 2023 as a significant highlight of the wider, inaugural Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase. It was a captivating window into our visionary postgraduate research, providing a privileged glimpse into the tapestry of innovation and discovery woven by our aspiring researchers. The breadth and depth of their endeavours reflect the diversity and ingenuity that define our University’s research landscape. We stand together to applaud the winners and participants for their exceptional achievements and commendable efforts. 

Winner 

SK Hanan Rahman
School of Biosciences
Is Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) the Next Sustainable Solution for the Landfill Leachate Wastewater Crisis?

Hanan’s research endeavours to address Malaysia’s landfill leachate pollution by developing a novel three-chambered MFC, an innovative treatment system that utilises biological organisms like bacteria and algae to clean wastewater while simultaneously generating electricity. This cost-effective, self-sufficient, and eco-friendly approach has the potential to drive significant progress in global sustainable practices, leading to cleaner water resources and healthier ecosystems.

1st Runner Up

Ayesha Ashraf Khan
School of Biosciences
Guarding our harvests with Smart Sniffers and Eco-friendly Shields: A winning combo!

Ayesha’s research involves using an Electronic Nose (E-nose) biosensor to detect post-harvest diseases in papaya swiftly and accurately, aiming to replace destructive lab methods and costly techniques while contributing to food security and economic growth in the agriculture industry.

2nd Runner Up

Chin Man Yee
School of Pharmacy
Microplastics in blood vessel, what happens next?

Man Yee’s research examines the effects of short-term exposure to one of the most prevalent microplastic polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, on rat-isolated aorta, aiming to understand the health implications of microplastic pollutants and contribute to addressing the challenges of microplastic pollution.

Meet the all-stars

Explore the remarkable diversity of research, from cutting-edge technologies to tackling pressing global challenges, as you explore our comprehensive roundup featuring exceptional postgraduate researchers who participated in the Postgraduate Showcase 2023.

Read more

Research in a flash: Join us at 3MT® Live!

The average doctoral thesis would take 9 hours to present.
Their time limit… 3 minutes. 

Step into the realm of brilliance and innovation at our highly anticipated Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Live event on Wednesday 23 August 2023 at 9.30am in F1A11, where our PhD students from diverse disciplines will step into the spotlight to present their research in just three minutes! Experience the intellectual excitement as they showcase the culmination of years of dedication and hard work condensed into a brief and impactful presentation. In this thrilling competition, they will vie for the coveted top prize and a chance to represent our University on the global stage in the prestigious U21 Final.

We welcome all staff and students to join us in supporting our PhD researchers at this exciting and fast-paced event. By being a part of this momentous event, you will gain insight into the forefront of research innovation and the profound implications it holds for our collective future. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the action and witness the power of research in shaping the future!

Events and activities

Talk on animal ethics

Thursday 24 August 2023, 10am – 12nn, H1B13
by Dr Then Sue-Mian, Associate Professor at the Division of Biomedical Sciences; Research Director for the School of Pharmacy; and member of the Research Integrity and Research Ethics Committee at UNM
*for postgraduate research students

This talk will cover an introduction and history of animal research and its contribution to science and medicine; the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) of animal research, the legal framework and process of conducting animal research in Malaysia and compliance with the UK’s Animal Welfare Ethics Review Body.

Register now

Research ethics and integrity for early career researchers 

Monday 28 August 2023, 10am – 12pm, MS Teams
by Professor Steve Stewart Williams, Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Research Integrity and Research Ethics Committee at UNM
*for new faculty and early career researchers

This workshop will provide an overview of research ethics and integrity at UNM. It will delve into the Why, the What and the How of research ethics. The Why will look at why research ethics and integrity are important to researchers, and what can go wrong if we do not adhere to UNM’s core ethical principles. The What will give an overview of those principles, with a special focus on authorship issues, the replication crisis, and academic freedom. And the How will cover how you and your students can go about getting ethical approval for your studies at UNM.

Register now

Training and development

Find out more about our training and development provision for postgraduate students.

Researcher Development Programme (RDP)

Drafting and editing a chapter of your thesis

    • Thursday 3 August 2023, 10am – 12nn, H1B13

    • This course will identify the features of good academic writing, discuss effective writing plan, and consider techniques for starting and finishing a thesis chapter.

    • Sign up

Applying for jobs and interview

    • Thursday 10 August 2023, 10am – 4pm, H1B13

    • This course will offer insights from guest speakers representing Hilti Malaysia, prompting you to consider your career development while providing valuable tips to enhance your job-seeking prospects.  

    • Sign up

Planning research and time management

    • Thursday 17 August 2023, 10am – 12nn, H1B13

    • This course will support the development of good time management and enable students to plan their research development more efficiently.

    • Sign up

Introduction to development needs analysis

    • Tuesday 29 August 2023, 10am – 12nn, H1B13

    • This course will introduce the tool to evaluate and plan personal, professional and career development.

    • Sign up


Empowering your postgraduate research ambition

Look out for our next issue of newsletter next month!

Don’t forget you can get in touch with us via Facebook or by email to graduateschool@nottingham.edu.my.

Posted in News and EventsPostgraduate lifeResearcher Development