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Year: 2021

Thammasat University strengthens its commitment to gender diversity

Posted on by Thammasat University

The Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, is committed to creating a safe space for students and personnel with gender diversity in every dimension such as sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). It has come up with a few policies to curb discrimination and hateful and disrespectful actions.

The Faculty will review and revise practices in the areas of requests for personal data of students and personnel, dress codes and use of language on various occasions to ensure consistency with the values of respect for gender diversity.

The Faculty will provide education for students and personnel on the issue of gender diversity and guidelines for living together with dignity.

It will also support academic activities, student clubs and other activities in the area of gender diversity. It will also look into the revision and development of laws to create gender equality.

The Faculty also stresses the value of respect for gender diversity in digital platforms, including in notifications or advertisement media on various occasions such as acceptance of personnel applications to work or study in the Faculty of Law’s courses, etc.

It will continue to monitor and assess results based on the principle of participation and empowerment of students.

Complaints will be addressed by the Audit and Equality Committee if a person is discriminated against, insulted, stigmatized, hated or disrespected for reasons stemming from gender diversity.

TPU students gain access to all courses on Coursera

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Tomsk Polytechnic University has concluded an agreement with Coursera, an educational platform. Students of the university will gain unlimited access to all courses.

The agreement between Tomsk Polytechnic University and Coursera is concluded for two years. During this period, students and staff can use the resource courses without limitations.

“Nowadays, all world universities assert their courses on Coursera. For students, it is a chance to gain access to the best online content in the world and become a participant of a so-called program of virtual academic mobility, to spend at least half a term at the other university even on electronic educational resources. It is also an opportunity for supervisors of educational programs not to limit themselves to the competencies which there are already at the university,” Alexander Fadeev, TPU Vice-Rector for Digital Affairs, says.

Several ways to use Coursera courses will be suggested for TPU students. In a first way, a student will be able to choose a course instead of a subject or its part, which he studies at TPU. In case of agreement of the supervisor of the educational program, an electronic certificate on completion of a course will be credited as a subject assessment at the university.

The second way offers a course integration in the subject by the professor. In this context, a student simultaneously studies at the university and on the platform.

“We also consider the variants when a student chooses a course independently based on his personal preferences. The work on creating assessment mechanisms, assessment courses on their topics and quality for academic training is in progress,” Alexander Fadeev adds.

At the moment, TPU possesses about 70 licenses. A part of them is planned to be given for the competence development of university professors.

There will be prepared detailed guidance on access to Coursera for university students and staff. It will be released in personal accounts and sent via email.

Chula students win prizes at national and international food innovation contests

Posted on by Chulalongkorn University

Three student teams from the Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, won prizes from the national and international food innovation concept contests.

Competing against students from 54 universities, flying in from 13 countries, several of Chulalongkorn University’s finest were awarded a prize in the ASEAN Innovation Challenge – ProVeg International 2021, the international plant-based food innovation concept contest held during January – June 2021.

Chula’s team of graduate students, Mr. Nuti Hutasingh (Ph.D. student), Miss Varanya Techasukthavorn (Ph.D. student), and Mr. Natchanon Srangsomjit (M.S. student), won the first prize for their product, “Marble Booster: 100% plant-based ready-to-eat meal of marbled meat slices fortified with natural immune boosters from curcumin and black pepper”.  The team was coached by CPF (Thailand) PCL.

Moreover, a team of 3rd-year undergraduate students, coached by Nestlé, including Miss Tornton Chainithikan, Miss Paweekorn Wongrattanapiboon, Miss Pattamaporn Kuprasert and Miss Pichamon Pecharanond, won special prize for their creation, “Zainty: non-dairy avocado and coconut milk-based ice cream in parfait style”.

At the national level, another team of students from Chula ranked 5th in the FoSTAT Food Innovation Concept Contest 2021, held during January – June 2021.  Under the theme “Smart Food for the New Normal”, a group of Chula 3rd year undergraduate students, Mr. Saksorn Techasutjalidsuntorn, Miss Tornton Chainithikan, Miss Paweekorn Wongrattanapiboon, Miss Pattamaporn Kuprasert, Miss Pichamon Pecharanond and Miss Issariya Thunyateerepong, came in 5th place among all the participating teams from Bangkok.

The team’s proposal for the contest was “Tep Tep: tempeh pudding with coconut crumble”.  All three student teams were supervised by Assoc. Prof. Kanitha Tananuwong and Asst. Prof. Varapha Kongpensook.

LETI researchers help evaluate the effectiveness of new medicines

Posted on by Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University

Nowadays, objective analysis and interpretation of biomedical research results are largely dependent on the fast and efficient processing of biomedical images, including tomographic images, histological samples, microphotographs of tissues, bacterial colonies, and other biological structures. ETU “LETI” scientists have proposed an innovative way to quickly process micro-images to assess the effectiveness of promising wound-healing drugs.

“The fact that biomedical images are non-stationary and heterogeneous makes automatic selection and classification of objects difficult. That makes developing specialized methods for their analysis, adapted to these properties, relevant. ETU “LETI” scientists have researched in the field of visual data analysis for several years. Analysis of biomedical visual data is one of the main areas of application of the developed methods and approaches,” notes Mikhail Bogachev, Chief Researcher of the Research Center “Digital Telecommunication Technologies” at ETU “LETI.”

One of the research areas is the automated analysis of images obtained using microscopy. St. Petersburg scientists have developed a modified method for analyzing microimages of aggregated bacterial cells. In such structures, it is impossible to distinguish individual cells in the image, so to evaluate subpopulations, LETI scientists suggested using a two-step algorithm based on a combination of selection and counting of individual cells.

Researchers analyzed the shape of objects highlighted in tissue sections to reconstruct the properties of the recovered tissue based on the biomechanical model developed by experts from Kazan Federal University. The results confirmed not only the accelerated wound healing but also the more natural structure of the recovered tissue, close to normal in its biomechanical properties, due to the treatment. The research materials were presented in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules at the end of 2020.

“The search for promising drugs is inextricably linked to an extensive screening of candidate molecules. Although modern bio- and chemoinformatics tools make it possible to pre-select the most likely candidates, the volume of experimental studies for their verification remains considerable and requires laborious and time-consuming work from experts,” ” says Mikhail Bogachev.

“The algorithms for evaluating cell subpopulations on microscopic images that we have developed allow us to reduce the expert workload and increase the objectivity of studies not only when studying Ficin, but also other promising drugs.”

The proposed algorithm is demanded among practitioners, as evidenced by several dozens of citations in biomedical publications. The current research is carried out in close collaboration with specialists from Pavlov St. Petersburg Medical University, Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, Albrecht Center for Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities, and several other healthcare organizations.

TPU scientists develop coating with unique properties for radiation protection

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) are developing a unique nano-coating for radiation protection, capable of self-healing. It will help protect electronics and seriously increase the radiation resistance of various materials in the nuclear and space industries, the authors said. The research findings are published in the Metals academic journal.

New radiation-resistant materials, as experts explained, will not only improve many nuclear facilities but also will effectively protect electronics from radiation damage. Such protection is especially relevant for astronautics as cosmic radiation can disable electronics outside the Earth’s atmosphere very fast.

The main danger of radiation is exposure to charged particles and neutrons. The TPU scientists have experimentally confirmed that the multilayer composite nano-coating of zirconium and niobium can heal the defects caused by these factors.

“Radiation defects in materials are caused by vacancy defects, which are atoms knocked out of the crystal lattice, or additional atoms which stuck in it. Both types of damage can accumulate resulting in product failure. After long-term irradiation of our coating with a proton flux, the concentration of defects either remains unchanged or decreases due to the drain of defects to the boundaries of the layers, where they eliminate each other,” Roman Laptev, Associate Professor of the Division for Experimental Physics of the TPU School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, explained to the Sputnik international news agency.

Such properties of the coating offer significant opportunities for increasing the radiation resistance of various materials in the nuclear and space industries, the TPU researchers believe. The composite, obtained by magnetron sputtering, consists of five layers of each material with a thickness of about 100 nm.

“Transmission microscopy and X-ray structural analysis have shown that after irradiation, voltage arises in the structure due to the accumulation of protons. Calculations and experiments both revealed a displacement of zirconium atoms from the optimal position with the formation of areas of low electron density, near which inserted ions accumulate annihilating positrons during analysis,” Roman Laptev said.

For experimental analysis of the structure of defects before and after irradiation, a unique high sensitive method was used – spectroscopy of Doppler broadening of the annihilation line using fluxes of positrons with controlled energy, the TPU scientists noted.

The research was carried out within the No. 20-79-10343 project of the Russian Science Foundation in cooperation with experts from the Weinberg Research Center and the Dzhelepov Laboratory of Nuclear Problems of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. In the future, the research team intends to study new material at higher radiation doses

Thammasat University signs Memorandum of Academic Cooperation with HK Management & Service

Posted on by Thammasat University

The Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (TSE), represented by Associate Professor Dr. Tira Jiasiripongkul, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Associate Professor Dr. Plaiwan Suttanon, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, have signed a memorandum of academic cooperation with HK Management & Service Co., Ltd. represented by Miss Hemnarat Kitiyanan, the Managing Director.

The memorandum of cooperation was prepared with the objective of promoting cooperation in testing a UVC sterilizer called “Smart Handy” manufactured by HK Management & Service Co., Ltd. Assistant Professor Dr Pratchaya Prempranirat from the TSE Department of Mechanical Engineering calibrated the Smart Handy machine to sterilize effectively.

In addition, with cooperation from Associate Professor Dr Worada Samosornsuk from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences who tested sterilization efficiency. This machine can be used to prevent and ease COVID-19 infections.  Furthermore, future sterilizers can be developed based on this device.

International students deliberate on surviving the new norm

Posted on by fspppeditorialteam

Three students’ associations from University Teknologi MARA Malaysia took the initiative to deliberate on them openly in a webinar titled Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition.

The students’ associations were from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study (BacAS & BASc) and the Students College Representatives of Negeri Sembilan from the Seremban campus. The panellists and audience were from Malaysia, Bosnia, Albania, Indonesia and the United States of America.

The “Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition” webinar was held on 18 June 2021 via the YouTube Live platform. The program started at 8.30 pm with the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study, UiTM, Prof Madya Dr Abdul Jalil bin Mohamed Ali’s welcoming speech. It was followed by a panel sharing session on the challenges and responses to changes in their lives as students affected by Covid-19.

The panel members consisted of nine (9) students from diverse backgrounds and countries. From Malaysia were UiTM students Amirul Syafiq Bin Aizzuddean and Afdlin Mikhail Bin Mohd Sofian, and Ramadhan Alfaini from the Management and Science University, Malaysia.

Emina Lagumdzija represented the International University of Sarajevo, Bosnia; meanwhile, Ana Limani, Alert Lulo and Edona Zeneli were from the Metropolitan University of Tirana, Albania. Two more students, Mahesa Saravanan from Western Michigan University and Zul Amin bin Zulkipli from the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University, are currently studying in the United States of America.

The webinar highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students in different countries. Both panellists and the audience benefitted from the participants’ input, experience, and advice during the webinar. Surprisingly, many of us took similar means to deal with the tribulations in life brought by Covid-19.

CUHK professor becomes the first Chinese scientist to receive the Royal Medal in biological sciences

Posted on by Editorial Team

Prof. Dennis Lo from the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong was recently awarded the Royal Medal 2021 for his contributions to the advancement of ‘natural knowledge’ in biological sciences. The Royal Society highly commended Prof. Lo for making a major impact on prenatal diagnosis by discovering fetal DNA in maternal plasma, developing non-invasive prenatal testing, and making foundational contributions for other types of liquid biopsies.

The Royal Medal is one of the most prestigious awards of the Royal Society, which was founded in 1660 and is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. Since 1825, two Royal Medals are awarded annually for the most important contributions to the advancement of ‘natural knowledge’ in the physical and biological sciences, respectively.

Prof. Lo is the first Chinese scientist ever to receive the Medal in the biological sciences category since the establishment of the award 200 years ago. There are 400-some awardees in history, including Charles Darwin who proposed the theory of evolution and John Dalton who developed the atomic theory. Approximately one in five of the names on the award list are Nobel laureates.

The non-invasive prenatal test for Down syndrome developed by Prof. Lo has been widely regarded as a significant breakthrough in the global scientific community.

Known as “the father of non-invasive prenatal testing”, the non-invasive prenatal test for Down syndrome developed by Prof. Lo’s team has been widely regarded as a significant breakthrough in the global scientific community. The test has been widely adopted in dozens of countries and used by millions of pregnant women every year.

With the use of massively parallel sequencing and the development of novel bioinformatics strategies, Prof. Lo’s group succeeded in deciphering a fetal genome through the analysis of traces of fragmented DNA floating in the blood of a pregnant woman. This scientific achievement lays the foundation for developing non-invasive prenatal diagnostic tests for multiple genetic diseases.

Prof. Lo saw the implications of non-invasive prenatal diagnostic tests to other branches of medicine. In transplantation, he demonstrated that DNA from a transplanted organ is present in the plasma of a recipient. This discovery has since then been translated into a new approach for rejection monitoring after transplantation. Based on the similarity he found in cell-free fetal DNA molecules and tumour DNA molecules, Prof. Lo has developed genome-wide genetic and epigenetic approaches for cancer detection. This work has laid the foundation for multi-cancer early detection. Prof. Lo and his team have successfully developed technologies that allow the detection of dozens of cancer types and have been working with a biotech company in the US for clinical applications.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists

Being the first Chinese scientist awardee of the Royal Medal for contributions in biological sciences, Prof. Lo remarked, “I am most delighted and encouraged to have my work on circulating fetal DNA and development of non-invasive prenatal testing and other liquid biopsies recognised by the Royal Society. I am also humbled when I look at the list of distinguished past winners of this award. I wouldn’t have developed the non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test without the support of my devoted team all along. I am grateful to all the inspirations, support and company from my family, mentors, colleagues, students and friends.”

Looking ahead, Prof. Lo hopes this award can help draw young people’s attention to science and learn that it can be fun and impactful. ‘The future of science depends on our ability to attract the best minds of our next generation into the science, and joining us in our quest for the next scientific breakthrough,’ he said.

Thammasat University signs MOU with Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre

Posted on by Thammasat University

Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre( BAIAC) and the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University (TU Law), Bangkok, have entered into a cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 1 May 2021.

Faculty of Law, Thammasat University is the oldest law school in Thailand and is highly regarded for producing the country’s eminent leaders and figures since its inception in 1934. Beihai Asia International Arbitration Centre (BAIAC) is a Singapore based arbitration centre established by the Beihai Arbitration Commission focusing on international commercial disputes arising from ASEAN, China and the BRI countries.

With the signing of the MoU, the parties hope to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the area of arbitration training, education and research involving the ASEAN region with a focus on Thailand, Singapore, and Guangxi. In addition, the parties would also be working on a pilot program to train faculty members of TU Law as international arbitrators and experts.

UiTM revives strategic partnership with LSPR Communication and Business Institute, Indonesia.  

Posted on by A. HAMID SAIFUDDIN

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia and LSPR Communication and Business Institute (LSPR), Indonesia.

The MoU was initiated by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), UiTM and was signed at an event hosted by LSPR. The ceremony took place virtually on Friday 23 July 2021 at 2:00 pm in Jakarta, 3:00 pm, Malaysian time via Zoom.

The agreement will allow both institutions to focus on academic research collaboration, organise joint activities and programs, exchange academic information, and offer student and staff exchange programs. The MoU is also a way forward for UiTM and LSPR to share each other’s expertise in the field of communication and media studies.

The signatories to the MoU were the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah, and LSPR’s Rector, Dr Andre Ikhsano. Witnessing the virtual ceremony were UiTM’s Director of UiTM Global, Dr Hajah Zainab Hj Mohd Noor, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, and Dean of Faculty Communication, Mikhael Yulius Cobis. Also present at the event were distinguished guests from UiTM and LSPR.

In her keynote address, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, expressed, “With the MoU, we hope to be able to develop more especially through the agreement with Universiti Teknologi MARA. This collaboration is very important for us, especially to realise the spirit of education in the world. We are committed to working better and more closely towards common goals that pursuit the comprehensive education and the ability of the international opportunities and the research programs will ensure graduates will become successful in their respective careers.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah said on the partnership, “Having LSPR onboard for today’s MoU is a monumental effort that could witness a stronger collaborative initiative between these two entities moving forward.

“We acknowledge LSPR Communication and Business Institute, Jakarta as the leading communication school in Indonesia with a reputation as an outstanding academic institution in communication.”

“Today will mark yet another milestone for us all, where we will be reviving this strategic relationship which avows that of academic, curricular as well as strengthening network linkages between us.  Today’s signing carves another chapter on UiTM’s globalisation efforts in establishing relations with international partners. The purpose of this MoU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing, strategic, long-term relationship between both institutions respectively,” she added.

Furthermore, this agreement is in line with UiTM’s 2025 Strategic Plan. It encourages internationalisation via staff and student mobility programmes such as summer programmes and sabbaticals; collaborative network involving academic programmes, research, and consultancy activities through an increase in international academic staff.