Login
Register

Month: September 2021

Thammasat University researchers discover the cannabis compounds in “Trema Orientalis (L.) Blume”

Posted on by Thammasat University

Professor Dr Tiwtawat Napiroon from the Department of Biotechnology, Thammasat University and the research team has made the world’s first discovery on the study of Cannabis compounds found in “Trema orientalis (L.) Blume”.

The research has been accepted and published in well-known life, biology and medicine journal, PeerJ from the United States.

“Trema orientalis”, a little-known medicinal plant, was discovered for tangible usage for the first time in Thailand and the world. It is used for treatment involving antibacterial infection in the human respiratory system.

The research used the taxonomic, biomolecular, phytochemical and ethnobotanical data integrated with the research conducted by pharmacists, Assoc. Prof. Dr Wichai Santimaleeworakul, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Keerati Tanruean and Asst. Prof. Dr Pisit Poolprasert from the Department of Biology, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University and Mr Manop Poopat, Forestry Officer from Forest Botany Division, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation with the support fund from Agricultural Research Development Agency (Public Organization) or ARDA for Thai Medicinal Plants.

It led to the discovery of the importance of phytochemicals for each part of the plant and biological activity that are consistent with the treatment of infectious diseases according to local wisdom.

The research team and ARDA are preparing other parts of the report as well as the development of pharmaceutical products from this medicinal plant to be further published in this journal.

TPU to lead team of scientists in large-scale study of ecological condition of rivers

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University, together with their colleagues from Sweden and Finland, will conduct a large-scale study in the Murmansk region to identify the causes of the accumulation of mercury and persistent organic pollutants in the region’s rivers that flow into the Arctic seas.

The project is part of a research initiative of the international Arctic Council, which consists of eight arctic states.

TPU will lead the Russian research team, which will also include scientists from institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The research will consist of two parts: expedition and analytical work based on previously collected data.

It is expected that the first joint expeditions of Russian, Swedish and Finnish scientists to the rivers of the Murmansk region will begin in the summer of 2022.

“The state of the Arctic is a global indicator of climatic and environmental changes occurring on the planet. The accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and mercury is recorded here. This is a collective responsibility of the entire world, so it is necessary to study the problem and look for ways to solve it together with leading scientists. Such a global problem can only be solved in a concerted effort,” says the head of Tomsk Polytechnic University Andrey Yakovlev.

“The scientific and infrastructural background of Tomsk Polytechnic University allowed us not only to join this global research but also to act as a national coordinator.”

“I am sure that together with scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences through the case of the Murmansk region we will be able to find answers to important questions: what is the source of pollution in the Arctic today, and what solutions can stop these processes,” adds Andrey.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of substances used in industrial processes. They include, for example, furans, dioxins, phenols and many other toxic compounds. Together with mercury, they accumulate in the water, soil, and living organisms, eventually reaching the human body. The international Arctic Council has initiated a series of studies of the Northern Sea Route, starting from Murmansk.

In the course of work, Russian scientists together with their colleagues from Sweden and Finland will have to determine which organic pollutants are present in the Murmansk rivers’ water and in the soil in the surrounding areas, find the sources of these emissions and propose environmental measures. The research is planned to be completed in 2023.

More than 30 scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University, including young researchers, will be involved in the project. These are specialists from the Engineering School of Earth Sciences & Engineering, the Engineering School of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, and the Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences. They will conduct analytical work and study water and soil samples brought from expeditions.

“Tomsk Polytechnic University possesses the necessary laboratory facilities for participation and coordination of international cooperation. However, the competence of our scientists is the most important thing. For example, we have an active scientific group studying the impact of carbon emissions in the Arctic on climate change. It was formed as part of a megagrant under the leadership of Professor Igor Semiletov and continues working successfully. TPU also has a unique scientific school of medical geology, which was founded by Professor Leonid Rikhvanov. This scientific field considers the dependence of human health on environmental factors and geological features of the territory,” notes Mekhman Yusubov, TPU Vice Rector for Research.

Researchers discover that Fritillary butterflies sporadically interbreed with their very distant relatives

Posted on by Alina Perevizintsova

Researchers from St Petersburg University and the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences have found that genealogically distant butterfly species Melitaea didyma and M. acentria sometimes interbreed. These species separated at least five million years ago (almost the same period separates humans and chimpanzees).

For small-numbered M. acentria this sporadic introgressive hybridisation results in higher genetic diversity, increasing their survival chances.  The research that makes us take a fresh look at the evolution of living organisms is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The research findings are published in the journal Molecular Ecology.

The formation of hybrids – organisms obtained after crossing genetically different forms – is more widespread in nature previously thought. Usually, only closely related species can hybridize. For example, hybrids occur in some populations of Daphnia – crustaceans from plankton.

They significantly complicate the definition of the boundaries between different species. However, some cases are known when hybridisation occurred between very distant relatives: for example, between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, whose common ancestor lived about 800,000 years ago.

The researchers from St Petersburg University and the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences have managed to detect the hybridisation of even more distant species: fritillary butterflies M. didyma and M. acentria, living on the slopes of the popular Mount Hermon ski resort in northern Israel.

Their common ancestor existed at least five million years ago – modern humans and chimpanzees are about as far apart on the phylogenetic tree (six million years). To obtain this result the scientists performed whole-genome sequencing and analysed 27 genomes of three species of fritillary butterflies.

It turned out that some specimens of small-numbered M. acentria sporadically interbreed with more common M. didyma, resulting in gene flow from M. didyma to M. acentria. In general, one of the reasons for species extinction is precisely the loss of genetic diversity. The fact that acentria butterflies are ‘fed’ with genetic material through hybridisation with a distant congener could therefore be a factor of survival and further evolution for the acentria.

Moreover, as the researchers note, introgressive hybridisation is not total in this case. Only some specimens interbreed with another species. However, this is sufficient for the emergence of a stable gene flow. The researchers even managed to catch one butterfly that turned out to be an interspecific hybrid.

“When we examined the morphology of M. acentria, we noticed that it resembled M. didyma. This was unexpected for us because these two species are distant relatives. Such “coincidences” are mostly the result of adaptation to similar environmental conditions. However, sometimes they occur as a result of introgressive hybridisation. We have analysed whole genomes, which showed a unidirectional gene flow from didyma to acentria,” said Elena Pazhenkova, the first author of the article, a doctoral student at St Petersburg University.

Elena Pazhenkova, a doctoral student at St Petersburg University (left) and Vladimir Lukhtanov, Principal Researcher at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor at St Petersburg University (right), during their expedition to Mongolia in 2019. Photo by Vladimir Lukhtanov

Vladimir Lukhtanov is a Principal Researcher at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a Professor at St Petersburg University. He says that hybridization usually leads to the fusion of two species or to the appearance of infertile offspring, that is, to the dead-end of evolution. That is the dead-end of evolution.

Until recently, it was therefore believed that such a scenario of ‘enrichment’ of a species with new genetic material was in principle impossible. However, in recent years, more and more works have appeared that encourage scientists to take a different view on the processes of evolution of living beings.

“It seems that we are at the stage of changing the scientific paradigm. Biologists have long been convinced that the evolution of living beings can be represented as a branching tree. This metaphor  (Tree of Life) might not be entirely correct and might soon be discarded,” said Vladimir Lukhtanov.

“Introgressive hybridisation suggests that it might be more correct to represent evolution as Web of Life, in which the emerging new branches are horizontally linked to each other due to the gene exchange.”

“Additionally, the fact that we have identified an understudied natural mechanism that makes it possible to maintain genetic diversity may be important for the development of a general strategy for the conservation of a wide variety of living organisms,” said Vladimir Lukhtanov.

Berkeley partnership provides Chula students opportunity to innovate with Silicon Valley giants

Posted on by bajinderscii

A newly signed partnership between the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) and the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) of the University of California Berkeley will furnish opportunities for Asian students to initiate start-up projects to innovate alongside Silicon Valley giants.

This partnership brings ScII students and faculty face-to-face with the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem. In addition, they will participate in the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, Silicon Valley Innovation Leadership Program, and Engineering Leadership Global Hybrid Program.

Furthermore, the partnership facilitates the transfer of knowledge related to SCET teaching methodologies, such as Innovation Engineering and the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMoE).

Signing the agreement on September 2, 2021, ScII Executive Director Professor Worsak Kanok Nukulchai invited SCET faculty members to offer online courses for ScII students as a customized course or to allow our students to take their courses online with credits transfer, which could lead to the development of an international online platform for all SCET’s international partners.

We are pursuing a long-term partnership because ScII and Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology share the same vision, Prof. Worsak noted.

“We have the same passion and are two vital forces contributing to the sustainable future of humanity.”

Worsak also noted that both SCET and ScII are founding members of the League of Global Entrepreneurship Programs alongside MIT Legatum, Stanford University, Harvard University, Cambridge University, Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, and several other higher education institutions.

“It is my pleasure to be part of this project, and I look forward to many new things we will develop together in addition to benefiting from this experience,” said Dr. Ilkhlaq Sidhu, Director of SCET at UC Berkeley.

Since its inception, SCET has sought to broaden engineering by encouraging a greater understanding of whether a problem is worth solving, what to do after solving the problem, and how to elevate, lead, and connect engineering with other disciplines.

“At SCET, students participate in a topic while it is still new and growing,” Dr. Sidhu noted as he welcomed the partnership with ScII.

Chulalongkorn University Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement Associate Professor Natcha Thawesaengskulthai noted that SCET’s approach to education and building global innovation and entrepreneurship aligns with SCI’s core disciplines and specializations.

“This integrated critical approach to technology and entrepreneurial innovation jointly pursued by SCET and ScII should serve as a polestar for future endeavours,” she added.

Susan L. Giesecke, Director of Global Engagement at SCET, welcomed the SCET-SCII partnership, stating that Chulalongkorn University is a highly regarded institution and that SCET’s agreement with ScII portends to an excellent partnership.

She added that students at ScII will have an opportunity to interact and engage with Silicon Valley innovators and UC Berkeley alumni.

The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology is the premier institution on the UC Berkeley campus for studying and practising “technology-centric” entrepreneurship and innovation.

Since 2005, SCET has created the foundation of Berkeley’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including SkyDeck, the Fung Institute, the Engineering Leadership Professional Program, Global Venture Lab, and an extensive ecosystem of Silicon Valley and Global partners.

SCET’s mission has been to equip engineers and scientists with the skills to innovate, productize, and commercialize the technology in the global economy. Initially established as CET, it acquired a new name after receiving support from the Sutardja family, the force behind the Marvell Technology Group.

ScII is the newest school at Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university, Chulalongkorn University. The university currently offers a bachelor’s degree program called the Bachelor of Arts in Science in Integrated Innovation (BASCii).

Self-powered diaper sensors that monitor urine sugar levels

Posted on by Tokyo University of Science

Monitoring urine sugar levels is important during the early stages of diabetes, and diaper sensors represent an attractive solution. In a recent study published in ACS Sensors, Associate Professor Isao Shitanda, Professor Masayuku Itagaki, and Mr Yuki Fujimura from Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, present a promising approach to realizing self-powered diaper sensors that can generate energy directly from urine.

This work was done in collaboration with Associate Professor Seiya Tsujimura from the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Worth noting, this work is in line with other research efforts of Dr. Shitanda and his colleagues to develop self-powered biosensors like a lactate sensor energized entirely by sweat.

The scientists developed a paper-based biofuel cell that, through a pair of reduction-oxidation reactions, outputs electrical power proportional to the amount of glucose in the urine. Important considerations in the design of such biofuel cells are the amount of urine needed to generate enough power and the overall stability and durability of the device.

With this in mind, the scientists developed a special anode, the negative terminal of an electrochemical cell, using a process known as “graft polymerization” that allowed them to firmly anchor glucose-reactive enzymes and mediator molecules to a porous carbon layer, which served as the base conductive material.

The scientists tested their self-powered biosensor in diapers using artificial urine at various glucose concentrations. They used the generated energy to power up a Bluetooth Low Energy transmitter, and remotely monitored the measured concentration using a smartphone. They found that the biofuel cell could detect urine sugar in a very short time (within 1 second).

“Besides monitoring glucose in the context of diabetes, diaper sensors can be used to remotely check for the presence of urine if you stock up on sugar as fuel in advance. In hospitals or nursing care sites, where potentially hundreds of diapers have to be checked periodically, the proposed device could take a great weight off the shoulders of caregivers,” comments Dr Shitanda.

In short, the sensor that Dr Shitanda’s team has engineered can not only prevent diabetes but also make diaper management more efficient and responsive without compromising the environment. “We believe the concept developed in this study could become a very promising tool towards the general development of self-powered wearable biosensors,” says Dr Shitanda.

HKBU study finds strong association between PM2.5 and neurological disorders

Posted on by HKBUCPRO

A comprehensive, systematic meta-analysis conducted by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) scientists found a significant association between exposure to PM2.5, i.e., fine particulates with equivalent diameters of less than 2.5 microns suspended in the air, and neurological disorders.

These include stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide, posing serious challenges to global health.

The paper with the study’s finding was published in the academic journal Science of the Total Environment and has become the top 1% highly-cited paper worldwide by citation in the field of Environment and Ecology, according to Essential Science Indicators (ESI).

As systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the association between PM2.5 exposure and neurological disorders have been limited so far, the HKBU research team, led by Professor Ken Yung Kin-lam, Professor of the Department of Biology of the University, analysed a total of 1,645 articles published by June 2018 and identified 80 eligible studies that covered a population of more than 6.33 million from 26 countries or regions in all continents except Antarctica.

Previous meta-analyses of a similar nature covered at most seven countries, and nearly all of them were lightly polluted. In contrast, HKBU’s study covered countries and regions known to have more serious air pollution problems, such as Chile, China and India.

After a series of statistical analyses of the data published in the selected studies, the research team used odds ratio (OR) to represent the association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of different neurological disorders. Odds ratio, commonly used in public health analysis, is a measure of association between an exposure and an outcome. An odds ratio value of 1 indicates that exposure does not affect the odds of an outcome; a value of over 1 means exposure is associated with higher odds of an outcome.

The results revealed that exposure to PM2.5 in general increases the risks of stroke and stroke mortality, with the risk associated with long-term exposure more significant than with short-term exposure. It also showed that the risk of stroke in heavily polluted areas is higher than that in lightly polluted areas.

Analysis results of the association between PM2.5 exposure and the risks of developing other neurological disorders were studies. The results revealed that PM2.5 exposure is strongly associated with increased risks of Alzheimer’s disease, ASD, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

PM2.5 is typically made up of heavy metals, organic carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons suspended in the air. According to studies, some of the tiny particles and soluble components can enter the bloodstream by many pathways, such as crossing the blood-brain barrier and gaining access to the central nervous system. These particles can induce inflammation, death of cells and DNA damage.

“While various hypotheses were suggested on the underlying mechanisms of how PM2.5 causes different types of neurological disorders, it remains an area with many unknowns for biomedical scientists to explore. More vigorous research endeavours are required before we can fully understand the mechanisms, based on which we can formulate effective environmental and public health strategies in response,” said Professor Yung.

7 September is the 2nd International Day of Clean Air for blue skies designated by the United Nations General Assembly, with the theme “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet”, which emphasises the health effects of air pollution.

“The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies reminds us of the urgency for national governments and the international community to collaborate and take swift, effective actions to improve air quality, given its extensive health implications. Our study made it clear that PM2.5 exposure, a typical indicator of air pollution, is closely associated with many neurological disorders, and thus improving air quality will be a direct response to this public health challenge,” said Professor Yung.

TPU to become pilot participant in federal program for student tourism

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Tomsk Polytechnic University is the only Tomsk university among 15 pilot participants of the federal program for student tourism development, which will start in Russia in July. This summer, students from other cities who want to visit Tomsk will be able to stay at TPU health and recreation center (13 Usova Str.).

In April 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin in his Address to the Federal Assembly emphasized the importance of developing student tourism in the country. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation supported this initiative and began to develop a special program.

The ministry has identified a list of pilot participants in the program for 2021. Now a digital platform is being created, where students will be able to choose a university, a place to stay and book it. Students with Russian citizenship only will participate in the pilot phase of the program.

“Being a part of student community is a wonderful time of discoveries. When else if not now to travel, meet new cities and get to know your country. Tomsk is definitely the city worth visiting. TPU will be ready to host students from other cities and accommodate them in our comfortable health and recreation center. It is located in the center of the city, surrounded by many affordable food courts. In summer, about 90 beds will be available.

The rooms are designed to accommodate two, three and four people. We will host student tourists from July 15 to August 25,” Andrey Yakovlev, TPU Acting Rector, says.

Under this program, students from other cities will be able to come to Tomsk both in organized groups and individually. The cost of accommodation will amount to 100 rubles per day. According to the terms of the program, it will be possible to stay at the TPU campus for 3 to 14 days.

In addition, TPU will develop proposals for a cultural program for incoming students. This information as well as other details, for instance, how to get to TPU campus, nearest food courts, all essential contacts – will be placed on the digital platform.

AUS receives STARS Silver rating for its sustainability achievements

Posted on by Amy Robinson

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has earned a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). This makes AUS the highest-rated university in the GCC region.

The move from a Bronze to a Silver rating demonstrates the university’s continuous commitment to promote sustainable practices throughout its academic and operational activities. AUS Sustainability, the campus department dedicated to realizing the university’s strategic sustainability goals, collaborates with all university stakeholders to implement solutions that promote sustainable living and working on campus and beyond.

Speaking about the importance of this achievement, Rose Armour, Head of AUS Sustainability, said: “Incorporating sustainability is vital to higher education for two reasons. First, sustainability will play a role in each of our students’ futures, in both their professional and personal life, so they need to understand the concepts and impacts of actions as they pertain to climate change and social justice.”

“This is part of our commitment to preparing our students to be engaged and become effective members of society.”

“Second, students are seeking out sustainability in the classroom and in campus activities. They want to see and be proud of what is happening at AUS,” Armour added.

The new AUS rating was achieved following a rigorous process to meet STARS’ points-based system of benchmarking efforts at sustainability in four comprehensive areas: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning and Administration.

The new rating is a testimony to the impact of the work of AUS Sustainability with the university community, particularly the student EcoReps.

“We could not have made all the progress we did, as we almost doubled our score, without the help and commitment of our EcoReps. The outreach work they do with students is so valuable, they are true role models in our community. We have been so impressed with the work and impact of the EcoReps that we will be expanding the program this year and hiring EcoReps that will focus specifically on the residential halls,” explained Armour.

Established in 2018, the AUS EcoRep program empowers enthusiastic students with a desire to promote sustainable change on campus to educate their student peers on issues related to waste reduction, energy conservation, diversity and other sustainability-related issues.

“AUS has earned a Silver rating as a result of the culmination of many small actions, whether professors incorporating sustainability into their classroom, students choosing to do research on sustainability and climate change, or AUS installing electric car recharging stations and offering free counselling services at the health clinic,” Armour said.

“Everything has an impact, and everything adds up. We should never forget that each action we take, even if small, becomes a part of our overall impact as a community.”

“This is not to say that larger, bolder actions such as our single-use plastic ban are not needed, but we are all a part of AUS’s journey towards sustainability. Every action counts,” added Armour.

The university is widely recognized for its many sustainability initiatives. In 2020, AUS became the Gulf region’s first university to begin to remove single-use plastics across its campus, with all campus vendors banned from providing petroleum-based single-use items such as takeaway containers, plastic bags and others.

Additionally, the AUS Engineering and Sciences Building has been awarded the highly sought-after 2 Pearl rating by Estidama, a sustainable development initiative of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. AUS also received the Green Audit Award as part of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency’s Sustainable Campus Initiative for university students.

With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.

“STARS was developed by the campus sustainability community to provide high standards for recognizing campus sustainability efforts,” said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.

“AUS has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Silver rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts.”

The program is open to all institutions of higher education, and the criteria that determine a STARS rating are transparent and accessible to anyone. Because STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions.

“We are very proud to have achieved a STARS Silver rating for our sustainability accomplishments. We look forward to watching our sustainability efforts grow and improve through the STARS program,” said Armour.

UiTM holds the Innovative Escape International Virtual Exhibition 2021

Posted on by NURUL SALIZAWATEE MAHPAR & NOOR RITA MOHAMAD KHAN

Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) held the Innovative Escape International Virtual Exhibition 2021.

The exhibition was aimed at providing participating education institutions with an alternative to traditional learning models and promote international academic exchanges in higher education by allowing students to participate in a virtual exhibition.

The program was led by Dr Nor Lelawati Binti Jamaludin from the International Business and Management Studies Department, FBM and jointly organized by the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM under the supervisions of Puan Siti Salwa Isa and Encik Abu bin Ali. The program is under the patronage of Professor Dr Noryati Ahmad, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM.

Apart from the two faculties from UiTM, the exhibition also involved collaborators from the Student Development Center, UPM; Universitas Islam Riau, Indonesia; Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Hitra Leirskole, Norway; and Uzbekistan Youth Associations, Uzbekistan.

Students from the participating institutions were given a chance to showcase their project in the exhibition and this exchange is governed by the principle of collaboration and reciprocity that does not involve any cost to the participating students.

The current semester’s collaboration project seeks to further explore the concepts and factors towards improving accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural Areas aligned with the relevant Global Goals for Sustainable Development; “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” agenda.

The project compels students to explore current issues on how to improve accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural areas in their respective countries. They are required to study significant problems arising in the related areas by exploring key features of sustainable development that successively follows through the selected process model to improve efficiency and solutions delivery.

For this project, students are expected to consider how their creative and innovative ideas integrate the fundamental principles of sustainable design goals and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s society by involving existing/related international organizations. The students will need to develop innovative designs and ideas with the organization and bring fresh imaginative solutions for society.

To broaden access and visibility, the project utilises social media platforms to engage with the society and target audiences. An Instagram page known as @innovativeescape was used as the main platform for the virtual exhibition. Students work and solutions are posted and all collaborators and the public can view the innovative solutions provided by the students.

This virtual exhibition is aligned with UiTM’s aim, which is to achieve globally renowned university status. The exhibition contributes to the current need for creating an academic ecosystem that responds to the changing higher education scenario.

This collaboration model nurtures closer ties between participating faculties and universities and deepens the understanding and collaboration of parties involved towards achieving the same goals. Under this strategic partnership and the advent of this program, the exchange of ideas and the development of quality and practical solutions applicable to societies are made possible.

It contributes to the creation of a truly effective and quality partnership that will thrive within an ecosystem of mutual understanding and respect. Thus, the spotlighted program is a good measure to move the FBM and Faculty of Art and Design, as well as UiTM forward and make it more visible.

CICM partners with Central Lab to boost agricultural research and development

Posted on by Thammasat University

The Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (CICM) led by Professor Dr Adis Tasanarong, Dean of the Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Central Lab (Thailand) Co Ltd. and was honoured by Mr Chakrit Tiebtienrat, Managing Director, Central Lab (Thailand) Co Ltd on 11 June 2021 at Rangsit Center, Thammasat University.

This cooperation is aimed at improving the capacity of laboratory research analysis and testing and evaluations to improve agricultural product standards along with developing joint publishing and patents in the area of agricultural analysis research and development including training of personnel and students for research and development in the area of education.

Prof. Dr Adis Tasanarong, Dean of the Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, stated this cooperation will promote activities in missions related to the process of improving analysis and testing of both parties for consistency with the country’s needs and preparations to expand overseas markets in the future, particularly in the area of new value-generating economic crops such as hemp and marijuana, which must be cultivated and harvested to meet criteria and standards of good agricultural practices (GAP: Propagation and Cultivation) and acquire good raw materials without contaminants at sufficient amounts.

Mr Chakrit Tiebtienrat, Managing Director, Central Lab (Thailand) Co., Ltd., stated that Central Lab Thai is a laboratory with capacity for analysis and testing and the global. He believes cooperation between Central Lab Thai and the Chulabhorn International College of Medicine and the joining of forces will improve Thailand’s capacity for broader development in the area of analysis and testing to support research, analysis, testing and services to meet international standards in compliance with government policies.

Furthermore, integration of analysis and testing cooperation will increase confidence in the analysis and test results along with making analysis and test methods consistent with laboratory principles and standards, which can help in building analysis and testing networks for coverage until the country’s economy and knowledge base can be driven and built in the future.