Showcasing the extraordinary postgraduate research excellence that transforms your tomorrow

July 26, 2023, by Lisa Chin

Showcasing the extraordinary postgraduate research excellence that transforms your tomorrow

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 commanded the spotlight, taking centre stage as a significant component of the wider, inaugural Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase. This unique platform magnified the profound impact and significance of our postgraduate research efforts, emphasising our commitment to research excellence and knowledge dissemination.

Celebrating excellence: Winners announced in Postgraduate Showcase 2023

The showcase was held on Thursday 20 July 2023, featuring 39 of our postgraduate research students representing a diverse array of disciplines. We are immensely pleased by the participation in this year’s Postgraduate Showcase, which set a new record for us.

The poster presentations were evaluated by a panel of judges drawn from various departments within the University’s professional services. The judging panel comprised of: Ms Vivi Lim, Director of IT Services; Ms Alicia Ch’ng, Head of Careers Advisory Service; Ms Surinder Kaur, Manager at the Governance Office; Ms Ng Siew Ling, Library Service Manager; Mr Abdul Rahim, Manager of International Student Visa; Mr Eric So, IT Services Manager; Ms Ambujam Tanigajalam, Procurement Manager; Ms Wan Nabila Wan A’amir, Human Resource Manager; and Mr Muhammad Zainal Abidin Zainun, Manager at Teaching and Learning. The level of competition was fierce, and the judging panel was thoroughly impressed by the groundbreaking research and innovative ideas presented by our participants.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude and admiration to all our participants for your exceptional work and unwavering commitment to research excellence. Each of you has demonstrated the power of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge to drive positive change in our world.

Your diverse range of research topics showcased during this event has left a lasting impression on all of us. Your dedication to solving real-world problems, uncovering new insights, and making breakthroughs in various fields is truly commendable.

I wish to emphasise that regardless of the final results, your participation in this showcase signifies your passion for learning and the pursuit of academic and research excellence. Your exceptional research and exemplary efforts have undoubtedly set new standards of excellence in our postgraduate research community. Embrace this experience as a stepping stone for future growth and continued success. I am confident that each of you will go on to achieve remarkable milestones in your research journey.

Once again, congratulations on your achievements, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing the profound impact your work will have on society and the world at large.”

~ Professor Maniam Kaliannan, Associate Dean of Graduate School

The much-anticipated moment arrived during the closing ceremony of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase on Friday 21 July 2023 as the winner and runner-ups were officially announced.

Taking the stage for the closing remarks, Professor Festo Massawe, Chair of the Organising Committee for the Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase, delivered a heartfelt speech. With genuine appreciation and admiration, he extended his gratitude to all the showcase participants for their exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment to research and knowledge exchange. As Professor Massawe spoke, the significance of postgraduate research shone through his words. He emphasised the pivotal role that our postgraduate researchers play in advancing knowledge and driving innovation across various disciplines, and the audience responded with applause, recognising the extraordinary efforts and achievements of our postgraduate researchers.

Winner

The 2023 Winner of our Postgraduate Showcase is SK Hanan Rahman from the School of Biosciences. Hanan won with her poster presentation titled Is Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) the Next Sustainable Solution for the Landfill Leachate Wastewater Crisis?

Hanan’s research is driven by the pressing need to address the escalating landfill leachate pollution in Malaysia and propel advancements in economical and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. Her project primarily focuses on the application of a novel three-chambered MFC – an innovative treatment system that utilises biological organisms like bacteria and algae to clean wastewater while simultaneously generating electricity. Through meticulous optimisation and experimentation, she aims to develop a unique and groundbreaking system model that uncovers untapped potential for revolutionary water treatment methods that are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective and self-sufficient.

Traditional leachate wastewater treatment processes are often expensive and resource-intensive, and their environmental impact remains a concern. Hanan’s research has the potential to drive significant progress in the field of wastewater treatment, providing a much-needed solution to Malaysia’s rising landfill leachate pollution. Moreover, her findings and methodologies may have broader implications, influencing sustainable water treatment practices worldwide. Ultimately, Hanan’s work paves the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future, ensuring cleaner water resources and healthier ecosystems for generations to come.

We congratulate Hanan on her exceptional achievement and look forward to the positive impacts her research will bring to the field of wastewater treatment and environmental conservation.

1^st Runner Up

The 1^st Runner Up is Ayesha Ashraf Khan from the School of Biosciences for her poster presentation titled Guarding our harvests with Smart Sniffers and Eco-friendly Shields: A winning combo!

Ayesha’s research focuses on early detection of post-harvest diseases in papaya using an Electronic Nose (E-nose), a biosensor capable of identifying volatile organic compounds. She conducts her work at the Centre of Excellence in Postharvest Biotechnology lab (CEPB) under the guidance of Professor Asgar Ali. Her work involves assessing and evaluating the E-nose’s ability to swiftly and accurately detect infections in papaya before visible symptoms appear, thus replacing the need for destructive lab methods and costly techniques like Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The potential of the E-nose technology holds significant promise for the agriculture industry, as it can empower farmers with a tool to detect diseases promptly, enhance export efficiency, and stimulate economic growth. By reducing food losses in the supply chain through early detection, Ayesha’s research contributes to the broader goal of ensuring food security. Her work has far-reaching implications, benefiting both the agriculture sector and consumers by minimising food losses and increasing the availability of safe and high-quality produce.

We applaud Ayesha’s remarkable work and believe that her dedication to innovation and positive change will have a lasting impact on the agriculture industry, paving the way for a more sustainable and food-secure world.

2^nd Runner Up

The 2^nd Runner Up is Chin Man Yee from the School of Pharmacy for her poster presentation titled Microplastics in blood vessel, what happens next?

Man Yee’s research delves into the effects of microplastics exposure on the function and structure of rat-isolated aorta. Her work involves producing microplastics from plastic bottles used for drinking water and identifying the type of microplastic polymer. By focusing on understanding the changes in the aorta’s function and morphology after a short-term exposure to these microplastics, Man Yee seeks to shed light on the health impact of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic – one of the most prevalent microplastic polymers found in the environment and animals. Her research holds immense significance in driving progress and laying the foundation for future studies on the health effects of microplastics on living organisms. As this field remains relatively understudied, Man Yee’s valuable work emerges as a critical contribution to advancing knowledge and addressing the pressing challenges posed by microplastic pollution.

We commend Man Yee’s exceptional dedication and passion for her research, which has earned her this well-deserved recognition at our Postgraduate Showcase. Her efforts represent a remarkable stride towards a cleaner, healthier future for all living beings impacted by microplastics.

A tapestry of innovation and discovery: Reflecting on the vibrant spectrum of our research endeavours

Amidst the spirit of excitement and achievement, we stand together to applaud the winners and participants of our Postgraduate Showcase. With great pleasure, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winner and runner-ups for their remarkable achievements in the competition. Your dedication to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research has inspired us all.

To all the participants, we commend your commendable effort and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of excellence. Your contributions have enriched our research community and illuminated the transformative potential of research at our University.

The Postgraduate Showcase served as a captivating window into the world of visionary research conducted by our talented postgraduate research students. Your passion for exploration and discovery is the driving force behind our research community’s relentless quest for excellence and impact.

At the Graduate School, we are truly privileged to showcase the tapestry of innovation and discovery woven by our aspiring researchers. The breadth and depth of your endeavours reflect the diversity and ingenuity that define our University’s research landscape. Once again, a big thank you to all participants for making this year’s Postgraduate Showcase a resounding success.

Meet the all-stars

From exploring cutting-edge technologies to addressing pressing global challenges, the diversity of research showcased was truly remarkable.

Here is a comprehensive roundup of all the exceptional individuals who participated in our Postgraduate Showcase 2023.