Latest news with #MonashUniversityMalaysia
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
UK's semiconductor design giant Arm may train 10,000 Malaysian engineers over a decade
SUBANG JAYA: A total of 10,000 local engineers are expected to be trained over the next decade under a landmark initiative by UK-based semiconductor design giant Arm and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM). The Arm On-Demand training programme is aimed at building Malaysia's high-tech talent pipeline and accelerating its position in the global semiconductor industry. It is designed to equip Malaysian engineers with advanced skills in semiconductor design and development, particularly in front-end integrated circuit (IC) design. The initiative aligns with the country's broader ambition to transition from traditional assembly roles towards innovation-led activities such as chip design, intellectual property (IP) creation and advanced R&D. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the programme aims to create a new generation of future-ready professionals who can design chips, build companies, and compete on the world stage. "This is more than just training, it's about creating future-ready professionals who can design chips, build companies, and compete globally," Amirudin said at the launch here today. The programme targets 1,000 participants annually, with the first batch of 400 engineers already enrolled and each course typically spans three to four months and features intensive, industry-relevant modules. Amirudin said Selangor is working with 20 universities including Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) through their respective engineering faculties. The event was also attended by key figures including Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong, Selangor exco for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han and Monash University Malaysia president and pro vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman. Industry players including Arm and MyStorage are also involved with graduates from earlier pilot cohorts have already received multiple job offers, with companies actively selecting top-performing candidates for employment. To ensure the programme's sustainability and impact, the Selangor state government has committed between RM5 million and RM10 million annually to support front-end semiconductor development. Meanwhile, the government - through the Economy MInistry - has increased its support from RM60 million to RM100 million, signalling strong national-level confidence in the initiative with total investments projected to exceed RM100 million over the next decade. Amirudin believes that the broader goal is to move Malaysia and Selangor in particular up the semiconductor value chain, shifting from traditional roles in assembly and packaging toward becoming a hub for chip design, IP creation and advanced R&D. "We must move towards owning the intellectual property so that these chips are not just labelled 'Assembled in Selangor', but 'Designed in Selangor', 'Made in Malaysia'," said Amirudin. He added that as global protectionism rises and old economic models break down, Malaysia must position itself as a creator not just a manufacturer of technology. "We can no longer afford to be a bit-part player in an industry that will shape the world economy for the next 30 years." Amirudin also said the ambitions will be detailed in Selangor Plan 2, set to be launched next year. He expressed confidence that semiconductor and E&E engineering will be prioritised under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 31.
The Star
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
How you cook petai matters for maximum nutrients
The best way to ensure that you are getting the maximum amount of healthy compounds in petai is to eat it raw, e.g. as ulam. — Filepic Petai: You either love it or you're politely pretending to love it at gatherings. But beyond the strong smell and even stronger opinions it inspires, Parkia speciosa might just be a little health powerhouse hiding in plain sight. Researchers from Monash University Malaysia have recently taken a closer look at this iconic South-East Asian bean to figure out how different cooking methods affect its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Led by food scientist Associate Professor Dr Choo Wee Sim, the team set out to find out whether boiling, steaming or microwaving petai reduces its health benefits. Turns out, yes, it does, but it also depends on how you cook it. Petai is rich in phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties. But it also contains rare sulphur-based compounds known as cyclic polysulphides. These are believed to help fight bacteria and inflammation. And yes, they're also partly responsible for the smell that lingers long after lunch is over. Antioxidants help your body mop up harmful free radicals, while antibacterial properties can help fight nasty bugs. When cooking, it's great to try and keep as many of these compounds as you can, as they add so much value to your meals. The team found that microwaving petai led to the greatest loss of beneficial phenolic compounds, followed by boiling. Steaming, on the other hand, was the gentlest, helping retain most of the good stuff. Boiling and microwaving likely leach phenolics into the cooking water, especially with longer cooking times. So, while that bubbling pot might be traditional, it's not doing your petai much good nutritionally. Raw petai showed the highest antioxidant power and antibacterial activity. In fact, the raw extracts inhibited the growth of 12 different bacteria, including the harmful Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli . After cooking, this effect was noticeably reduced. The researchers believe this is largely due to the breakdown or loss of sulphur compounds like 1,2,4,5-tetrathiane, which plays a big role in fighting bacteria. Some new compounds, such as 1,3,5-trithiane and 1,2,5,6-tetrathiocane, were formed during cooking, but they didn't make up for what was lost. The researchers measured antioxidant properties in two ways. One (FRAP, which gauges reducing power) showed a significant drop after cooking. But the other (DPPH, a measure of free radical scavenging) stayed relatively stable, even in cooked samples. This suggests that petai might have other components, like peptides, that help fight free radicals regardless of cooking style. So how should you eat your petai? If you can handle it raw, perhaps with sambal or as a ulam side, that's your best bet for reaping all the health benefits. But if cooking is a must, steaming is clearly the winner. It preserves more of the good compounds compared to boiling or microwaving. This study, which was published on April 16 (2025) in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition , doesn't mean you have to overhaul your petai routine. But it does give you something to think about the next time you're prepping it for your nasi lemak or sambal udang. Cooking changes more than just the flavour; it changes the chemistry of the ingredient. And who knows? Grandma's steamed petai might've been ahead of its time all along.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
UK-SEA vax hub meeting boosts regional cooperation in vaccine research
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to boost regional collaboration in vaccine research and manufacturing by participating in the 2nd UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub) All Partners Meeting held at Monash University Malaysia today. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in a statement today, said Malaysia's active participation in the programme was in line with its role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, particularly through the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) and the ASEAN Health Division. It said the move further strengthened Malaysia's image as a regional leader in vaccine innovation and public health security. 'The programme brings together over 150 participants from nine ASEAN countries and the United Kingdom, including researchers, policymakers and key industry players in the vaccine sector. 'Malaysia also highlighted the latest developments in vaccine manufacturing facilities and research involving high-risk pathogens, alongside special exhibitions by MOSTI agencies showcasing various initiatives and local biopharmaceutical products,' the statement said. Meanwhile, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, in the same statement, said that strategic cooperation between ASEAN countries and global partners in vaccine research and manufacturing must be further strengthened to ensure equitable and sustainable vaccine security. 'This includes the need for long-term investment in research and development, the cultivation of technical talent, and the establishment of a strong regional biotechnology ecosystem,' he said when officiating the opening ceremony of the programme today. Also present were British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman. Dr Adeeba, in the meantime, reaffirmed the commitment of higher education institutions to supporting vaccine innovation and fostering collaboration among academia, government and industry.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after discovering rare firefly in unexpected location: 'I knew something was different'
Scientists have discovered a firefly that was previously classified as another species is actually a rare Gombak bent-winged firefly. Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh, a leading entomologist and senior lecturer at Monash University Malaysia's School of Science, spearheaded this work. She found the specimen with her research assistant, Tan Wei Jack, in October, per FMT Lifestyle. Not only is this the third known specimen of this firefly species in existence, but Wan Faridah and Tan also found it in a surprising place. It was discovered in Bukit Kiara, a forested area in Kuala Lumpur. It was originally thought to be another genus of firefly. One of its features didn't fit the profile, though. "That was the moment I knew something was different," Tan said. "Based on the knowledge I had at the time, I thought that fireflies from the genus Pteroptyx only lived in mangroves. As it turns out, this is the first bent-winged Pteroptyx found outside of mangroves." This is also the first specimen of the Gombak bent-winged firefly to have been found in 90 years. Wan Faridah identified the second such specimen, collected in 1935, in 2019. The discovery sparks hope for the diverse ecosystems in Malaysia. Even though firefires are small, Wan Faridah explained in a TED talk in 2023 that they "are so much more than just pretty lights." "They are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. The life cycle of fireflies keeps the ecosystem balanced. Each firefly species, in each indicative life stage, has specific needs for habitat to thrive," Wan Faridah said. In other words, if fireflies disappeared, it could lead to more significant disruptions down the line, possibly contributing to food insecurity as the agricultural pests they usually chow down on lose their natural predators and begin to wreak havoc. Good Good Good suggests a few ways you can take action to protect fireflies no matter where you are. Avoiding pesticides and weed killers as well as planting native species is a great place to start. Reducing your use of artificial light, especially at night, can also help fireflies and nocturnal animals that rely on the light of stars and the moon to navigate. Leaving leaves alone after they fall can also keep fireflies' habitats intact and help many other insects and animals. Do you think we use too much plastic in America? Definitely Only some people Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As for the Gombak bent-winged firefly, Wan Faridah suggested that spreading the word about the unique creature might help inspire people to take action to protect it. "What worries me is that we don't know whether we have found the Gombak bent-winged firefly at the brink of extinction. So, we are racing against time now," she said, per FMT Lifestyle. "Every species rediscovered is proof that extinction isn't inevitable, but it does require effort. If more people know about these fireflies, maybe more will be done to protect their habitats." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Rakyat Post
09-06-2025
- Science
- Rakyat Post
A Rare Firefly Rediscovered In Bukit Kiara After A Century
Subscribe to our FREE A firefly species not seen for over a century has been Tan Wei Jack, a master's student in environmental science at Monash University Malaysia and a research assistant, stumbled upon the rare insect on 23 October 2023 while surveying fireflies in the area. Initially, Tan believed the firefly belonged to a group known as Colophotia. But something about its appearance stood out. Intrigued, he took microscope images of the specimen and shared them with his academic supervisor, Dr Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh. After closer analysis, they discovered it wasn't from the Colophotia genus. It was identified as a bent-winged firefly from the genus Pteroptyx — specifically Pteroptyx gombakia, also known as the Gombak bent-winged firefly. Photo: Monash University Malaysia This species was last recorded in 1921 at Genting Sempah in Gombak, Selangor. Its name, gombakia, was inspired by the location where it was first collected. The species was officially named in 2015 by Australian entomologist Lesly Ballantyne, who came across a preserved specimen at the Natural History Museum in London. Excited by the rediscovery, Tan and Dr Faridah, a firefly taxonomist and senior lecturer in biodiversity and conservation, returned to Bukit Kiara to gather more data. 'Whenever we saw their flashing lights at twilight, we would catch the fireflies, study their features, note their species, and let them go,' Tan said. What makes this find especially surprising is its location. Pteroptyx fireflies are typically found in mangrove forests and are famous for flashing in synchronized displays. Yet here was a bent-winged Pteroptyx thriving in a hill park — a first of its kind. Dr Faridah believes this could mean that the species is more adaptable than previously thought. However, unlike its mangrove cousins, P. gombakia doesn't seem to gather in large groups. This unusual behaviour has sparked new research efforts. Dr Faridah is concerned that P. gombakia may be teetering on the edge of extinction. She noted that threats such as habitat loss due to urban development and artificial night lighting are major challenges, as they interfere with the fireflies' light-based communication. Despite the risks, Dr Faridah remains hopeful. The question remains: will this rare firefly continue to glow in the dark, or will it vanish once more into history? Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
