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Month: February 2022

TAU and higher education institutions pay homage to Southeast Asian heritage

Posted on by Office of External Linkages and International Affairs

In celebration of 54 years of existence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the ASEAN bloc, hosted the Internationalization and ASEAN Festival which featured competitions and webinars focusing on the region’s culture, arts, and contemporary issues.

Conducted from 25 August until 26 November, the activity was an attempt to address the demands and cope with the implications of internationalization and ASEAN integration. It was also a part of the EduTourism Program, a Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-funded project proposed by Dr Christine N. Ferrer, Director of TAU – External Linkages and International Affairs.

“TAU, together with its partners, is expected to play a role of promoting awareness, sense of community, and deeper understanding and appreciation of the ASEAN diversity,” Dr Ferrer explained.

The three-month event incorporated the following competitions: ASEAN Cuisine; ASEAN Creative National Costume; ASEAN Digital Photography; ASEAN Storytelling; ASEAN Dances; ASEAN Essay Writing; and ASEAN Video Production. TAU delegates seized second place in ASEAN Creative National Costume and third place in ASEAN Video Production. All winners will receive cash prizes and certificates.

Though comprising mainly of contests, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, TAU President, stressed that the affair is not an avenue to vie for supremacy but to forge stronger bonds and to support global cooperation and solidarity. “TAU and its partners must expand reach and visibility in the global arena. We must all embrace the challenges and opportunities of internationalization,” he added.

TAU collaborated with 11 HEIs from the Philippines which include Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC), Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), Romblon State University, (RSU) Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISTU), Aklan State University (ASU), Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), Bukidnon State University (BukSU), Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU), and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).

Also, eight HEIs represented their respective countries in Internationalization and ASEAN Festival: Royal University of Law and Economics of Cambodia; Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) of Indonesia; Dongkhamxang Agriculture Technical College of Laos; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); Kyaing Tong University (KTU) of Myanmar; Temasek Polytechnic of Singapore; Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (CRRU) of Thailand; and Duy Tan University (DTU) of Vietnam.

Moreover, KTU’s president, Dr. San San Mar, commended the coordinators of the program. “Although it was held virtually, we can see the effort in every part of the event,” she underscored. Dr. San San also expressed her gratitude as their participation in the ASEAN Festival paved the way for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between KTU and TAU. Though relatively new in internationalization undertakings, KTU students were able to haul two first places in ASEAN Cuisine and ASEAN Digital Photography.

Aside from the inter-institutional contests, several HEIs also hosted online conferences. SLSU commenced the webinar series with a forum on “Opportunities and Challenges in a Growing ASEAN Region” on 14 October. ASSCAT spearheaded a session on “Wetlands Conservation and Protection in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary” on 20 October while Indonesia’s Undiksha led an info session on preparing ASEAN university graduates for an international career on 25 October.

TPU professor participant of Science in Faces photo project

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Pavel Strizhak, a professor of the TPU Butakov Research Center has become one of the 20 Russian scientists and science communicators whose photos entered the Science in Faces photo project.

The photo project exhibiting portraits of project participants was opened in Moscow GUM on February 7. It coincides with Russian Science Day and will last until February 20.

The photo exhibition is arranged by the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education with the support of the Znanie Society. It is available for everyone who would like to admire scientists’ portraits.

The project participants are winners of the Presidential Prize in Science and Research for Young Scientists, winners of the Presidential Program of the Russian Science Foundation and participants of the President’s meeting with scientists on the boardwalk of the 2021 Congress of Young Scientists. It is the first time that such an exhibition has been held.

The photo exhibition aims to emphasise the special significance of scientists and researchers in shaping the future of Russia.

“To be a scientist is not a profession. It is all together: work, a mindset, a lifestyle and even a mission. It is impossible to be a scientist at half your ability or only during your working hours. As long as I remember myself, I have always have been engaged in science and I am keen to tell about my lifework,” said Professor Strizhak.

“I want as many as possible people will know how many opportunities science opens up and how much interesting the search process of new knowledge can be. Therefore, I always take part in educational or popular scientific initiatives when there is a chance. I am sure that Russian scientists must be eminent nationwide and abroad. The very heart of our capital is a definitely appropriate venue to exhibit our science and scientists,” he added.

A photographer Dmitry Ishkakov is the author of the portraits. He is famous for photo portraits of public figures. Exhibition organizers note, “at the exhibition, he presents his vision of stars of Russian science”.

Thai skincare make-over: Thammasat engineers adapt in response to sunscreen ban in national parks

Posted on by Thammasat University

The Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, is moving forward with sunscreen product labels to enforce the law in a tangible way by increasing consumer choices and adding solutions for problems with the marine environment.

Sunscreen became a social defendant when clear academic evidence emerged that some of the chemicals in sunscreen create coral bleaching. Thailand recently enacted a new law banning the import and use of sunscreen containing chemicals that harm coral in national parks that is called a “full-system make-over for the skincare industry” from the production process to the hands of consumers.

Associate Professor Dr Phanida Saikhwan, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (TSE) reflected the interesting viewpoint of “chemical engineers” toward the enforcement of this law, because many components require in-depth understanding before taking action.

Dr Phanida said that most research in Thailand rather clearly draws the same conclusions that Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3) and Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) have impact on the genetic codes of living things, or the DNA of coral in which they suppress the generation of new cells with impact on growth and cause coral bleaching.

And concerning research on 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC) and Butylparaben, although the reasons are not clearly stated, the gist of the latest announcement by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is considered to cover all types of chemicals causing coral bleaching.

Dr Phanida added that, based on retrospective investigation about the law prohibiting the use of sunscreen over the past several years, Thailand is considered to be the first country in the world to enact such a law, after the US State of Hawaii and the Republic of Palau, which is an archipelago.

Thammasat’s Faculty of Engineering views this legal mobilization as a significant phenomenon for humanity and a positive change, because it marks the start of awareness about the value of marine resources, beginning with the search for products. Chemical engineers are considered personnel with key roles in this make-over of the skincare industry with acceptance of the law and assistance starting with more environmentally-friendly production processes.

“Because chemicals are not limited to the laboratory, but appear in the daily lives of everyone, we at the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, are determined to take the opportunity of the annual celebrations for the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, on 19 August to pass the future on to a new generation of people interested in chemical engineering, so they are ready to confront the new challenges surrounding them and ready to accept constant changes in the same way as changes in the laws affecting the skincare industry. Chemical engineers have to be ready to face this change, too,” stated Dr Phanida in closing.

 

UiTMLaw expert joins ASEAN project studying needs in Malaysia’s consumer redress system

Posted on by ilyanailias

Dr Ibtisam @ Ilyana Ilias from the Faculty of Law, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTMLaw), who specialises in consumer protection law, was selected by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) to participate in a regional project, Consumer Protection in ASEAN (PROTECT).

This project strives to strengthen the national consumer protection systems of the ASEAN member states through regional and country-level assistance. Under this project, she was assigned to conduct a desk study on the needs and gaps in the consumer redress system in Malaysia and formulate policy recommendations with reference to selected international best practices.

Her involvement in the project commenced from 15 July 2021 until 15 September 2021.

The study examined seven consumer redress mechanisms established in Malaysia, namely the Small Claims Court, the Tribunal for Consumer Claims, the Tribunal for Homebuyer Claims, the Securities Investment Dispute Resolution Centre, the Ombudsman for Financial Services and the Malaysian Aviation Commission.

The establishment of these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) institutions reflects the government’s commitment to reinforce consumer protection, mainly by providing simple, cheap and flexible redress mechanisms to deal with disputes involving consumers. The study also appraised the role of the different actors, including regulators, ADR bodies, industry players and consumer associations towards elevating the efficiency of these dispute settlement mechanisms.

The study highlighted that Malaysia has developed a laudable consumer redress regime that enables consumers to uphold their legal rights when faced with negative experiences in their dealings with goods and services providers. Several recommendations were formulated to ensure more effective performance and delivery of these dispute settlement mechanisms. The proposals include strengthening collaboration among ADR bodies locally, regionally and internationally to refine their services and adopt best practices.

Furthermore, the study held the view that there is a need to plan continuous quality improvements in terms of organisational capability or capacity building and technology infrastructure. Additionally, leveraging various social media, websites and mass media to increase consumer awareness is also a vital step to raise consumer awareness of the existence and functions of different consumer redress mechanisms. Lastly, Dr Ibtisam @ Ilyana’s involvement in the project presented an avenue for regional exposure and networking.

TPU scientists develop new chip of lensless optical traps for lab-on-a-chip

Posted on by Tomsk Polytechnic University

Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University jointly with their colleagues from National Chiao Tung University (Taiwan) have proposed a concept of a new optical bottle-beam trap. The scientists showed that two dielectric micro-bricks could be applied instead of the lens.

Unlike its alternatives, in the long run, such a trap can be used in lab-on-a-chips (LOC). The LOC is a tiny device that allows conducting various research, including biochemical one using a few square millimeter chip.

It will significantly broaden the opportunities of tiny laboratories. The research findings are published in the Optics Letter academic journal (IF: 3,866; Q1).

The optical trap is also called an optical capsule. It is a device using a laser beam that captures micro-sized objects not disrupting their inner structure. For instance, they can be living cells, proteins and molecules. A functioning principle of the known optical capsules is usually based on the application of complexly structured beams.

The scientists proposed a lensless method to form the optical micro-capsule. In this case, a closed domain of the field localization is created using two dielectric bricks. The sizes of these bricks are compared with the length of a lightwave.

If two dielectric bricks are illuminated using plane front light from the end dace, the localization field of the light field is formed in output. Under the right dimensioning of the bricks, the closed domain, a special ellipse is formed. There is high intensity of the electric field along the edges of the ellipse, while there is zero intensity inside of the domain. Nanoparticles are not able to pop out this edge. This is the optical capsule.

The process simulation and calculations were carried out based on the solution of Maxwell’s equations. Gold nanoparticles were used as samples for the calculations. Gold is a classical substance to solve such tasks. Gold nanoparticles are absorbing particles for the chosen wavelength.

“The concept developed by us allows obtaining a prolate optical trap. It is a definite advantage as such a capsule can capture not only spherical nanoparticles but also prolate ones. In particular, the prolate nanoparticles are viruses. It considerably broadens the range of application of the capsule,” says Oleg Minin, Professor of the TPU School of Non-Destructive Testing and Head of the project.

In the next, experimental stage of the research, the scientists will test the concept practically. The lensless optical traps can be applied in medicine, biology, as well as in the synthesis of new materials.

St Petersburg University scientists synthesize new reagents for attaching fluorescent dyes to molecules

Posted on by Alina Perevizintsova

Chemists and biologists from St Petersburg University have developed new reagents based on heterocycloalkynes for reliable and safe attachment of fluorescent tags to biomolecules. The created compounds will help to visualise the processes occurring in cells and tissues of living organisms and to study their dynamics in real time.

Application of cyclononyne containing green fluorescent tag to modify and visualise with fluorescence microscopy HEK293 cancer cells metabolically-labeled by Azido-Glycans (A) and Azido-DNA (B).

The research results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Modern scientists can investigate composition and changes in living cells using fluorescent bioimaging. This is a technique in which the molecules of interest in a living organism, such as proteins or DNA, are ‘illuminated’ with fluorescent dyes and made visible to screening systems by exposure to light of a particular wavelength.

The fluorescent tags and selected molecules need to be securely ‘cross-linked’ for bioimaging to be successful. Special chemical reactions are used for this purpose. In the opinion of Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University, the most demanded and balanced today are SPAAC reactions (strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition). They enable direct attachment of special reagents in cells to biopolymer molecules modified with azido groups, cycloalkanes containing a dye tag.

SPAAC is a biorthogonal click reaction, that is, a reaction capable of occurring in living cells but which is neither detrimental to them nor affected by living systems as such.

‘No toxic copper catalysts are required in these reactions and no by-products are involved. SPAAC reactions are extremely important for conducting biological experiments. The physiology of living cells and the processes occurring in them can be studied in this way, while also establishing the propensity of cells to transform into tumor cells,’ explained Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University.

As Natalia Danilkina noted, there are already several types of reagents based on cycloalkynes (molecules that have a closed cycle of carbon atoms with a triple carbon-carbon bond inside the cycle) on the market. However, scientists at St Petersburg University under the leadership of Irina Balova, Director of the Institute of Chemistry and Doctor of Chemistry, have succeeded in synthesising fundamentally new reagents. They are characterised by high availability and an optimum balance between reactivity in SPAAC and stability to the environment and other reagents.

Work on the new reagents took place in several stages. At first, the researchers developed a synthetic method for producing cycloalkynes. It allowed easy design and synthesis of a series of molecules with different cycle size (from eight to ten atoms) and special structural elements – heterocyclic ring and heteroatom (any atom except carbon or hydrogen) in cycloalkynes. These elements are important in regulating balance between activity in SPAAC and stability.

Chemists at St Petersburg University followed up by studying reactivity and stability of the synthesised compounds using kinetic investigations and quantum chemical calculations. The work was carried out at the St Petersburg University Research Park at: the Computing Centre; as well as at the resource centres ‘Chemical Analysis and Materials Research Centre’, ‘Magnetic Resonance Research Centre’, and ‘Centre for X-ray Diffraction Studies’.

According to Natalia Danilkina, experiments and calculations were instrumental in revealing non-classical reactivity of compounds with the cycles of nine atoms.

Usually, the larger the cycle, the lower the reactivity and the greater the stability of the compounds. In our case the stability really contrasted: eight-membered cycles were impossible to work with due to their instability, while nine-membered ones turned out to be stable.

Natalia Danilkina, Associate Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry of St Petersburg University

‘However, the reactivity of eight-membered and nine-membered cycles was almost identical,’ explained Natalia Danilkina.

Based on these data, the scientists at St Petersburg University have found that heterocyclic heterocycloalkynes of nine atoms (cyclononines) are the most suitable for SPAAC. As Natalia Danilkina said, these compounds have the best balance between stability and reactivity. Whereas compounds with cycles of eight atoms (cyclooctines) are too unstable, and substances with ten atoms (cyclodecines) are nonreactive.

In the final stage, the researchers at St Petersburg University developed a method for attaching fluorescent dyes to a new group of reagents and conducted experiments to introduce the resulting compounds into cancer cell biomolecules. The research took place in the Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry at St Petersburg University. The experiments confirmed the effectiveness of cycloalkynes with a nine-membered cycle for SPAAC. As Natalia Danilkina stated, St Petersburg University scientists can already use the new reagents for research in various areas.

The research team is currently working on refining the resulting substances. ‘Right now, it takes eight hours for a reaction to take place in a cell using our reagents. We aim to get that reactivity down as low as 15 minutes. We are testing all possible options for the structures with improved reactivity while maintaining stability. We are searching for the most efficient molecule. We are also selecting optimal ways to bind the reagents with fluorescent dyes and other groups,’ concluded Natalia Danilkina. She adds that the researchers plan to patent the technology in the future.

Our work is fully in line with the priority areas of the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation and the St Petersburg University Strategic Plan, related to the transition to personalised medicine and high-tech healthcare.

‘The molecules we invent and synthesise are molecular tools for biologists and medical specialists. They enable them to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diseases and find effective methods of treating them,’ said Professor Irina Balova, Research Team Leader, Director of the Institute of Chemistry at St Petersburg University, Doctor of Chemistry.

The research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No 20-03-00117) and the Russian Science Foundation (project No 21-13-00218 and project No 19-73-10077).

Zeroing in on strategic cooperation between Philippines and Myanmar

Posted on by Office of External Linkages and International Affairs

Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and Kyaing Tong University (KTU) in Myanmar formalised their partnership in a Ceremonial Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 16, 2021 via Zoom.

TAU was represented by its President, Dr Max P. Guillermo, and Dr Christine N. Ferrer, Director of the Office of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA).

Their counterparts from KTU, Dr. San San Mar, Rector, and Dr. Shwe Wah, Pro-Rector, were also present. The five-year joint venture shall cover streamlining student and faculty exchange programs and conducting research seminars, conferences, and publications until 2026.

Introduced to TAU by Chiang Rai Rajabhat University of Thailand, KTU is TAU’s first partner Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Myanmar. Situated in the city of Kengtung, KTU consists of 12 academic departments and offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees to more than 4,000 students.

In his statement of purpose, Dr Guillermo reiterated TAU’s mandate to expand reach in the international community and benchmark with KTU to learn from its best practices and share TAU’s brand in return.

“I am jubilant to engage with one of Myanmar’s leading HEIs,” he added. Similarly, Dr. Mar expressed her appreciation of TAU’s undertakings especially the ones related to Sustainable Development Goals and internationalization.

“I share the same view with TAU that universal access to quality education should be a priority. We are committed to taking our relationship forward,” she stressed. KTU is not new to TAU as it already participated in the ASEAN Festival which was launched by TAU – ELIA on 25 August.

Also in attendance were Dr Arnold E. Velasco, TAU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Asuncion G. Beltran, TAU’s Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, who both verbalized their support for TAU’s international visibility and acknowledged the significance of tying up with recognized HEIs outside the country to beef up TAU’s reputation in academics and research. College Deans and Directors from both institutions also graced the event.

Thammasat student receives Royal Award from the Ministry of Education

Posted on by Thammasat University

Mr Atirut Deure, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University received a royal award in the Higher Education Level 2020.

He is the only student representative from Thammasat who received the royal award in Higher Education Year 2020 due to his exceptional grades and excellent conduct.

Mr Atirut Deure said that during the application for the royal award, it was important to study and understand the criteria.

Once you have assessed yourself as having met the criteria, then collect the works, photos of activities and various certificates, with emphasis on selecting activities that are practical and useful to society, as well as selecting outstanding awards from the university, regional, and national levels to be prepared as a document for assessment, he said.

Mr Atirut added that after knowing the results of the first round of assessment, he adopted recommendations from the assessment committee to improve and make it more outstanding by focusing on presenting the commitment, diligence, self-development as well as volunteering which is more beneficial to the society as a whole.

On the day of the interview, the questions the committee asked were rather tactful and to be answered within a limited time. There were also question directly related to work and his field of study.

“Studying and documenting all the works by myself helps to answer questions better therefore, I think this is the reason I was selected to receive the royal award,” he said.

Mr Atirut revealed that there are two advantages of being assessed for this year royal award.

“The first is to foster inspiration and pass it on to fellow students, exactly as what I received from seniors or friends who have persevered in accumulating experience until they have been recognized and honored as a student who has previously received a royal award. The second is to encourage pride for educational institutions, society and nation. This is because it reflects that there are youths who are still committed to self-improvement and creating useful things in our society.

“I am greatly pleased to have received the royal award as this award is considered as a valuable stamp of the result of perseverance in the field of study, creativity and volunteering throughout my student life. However, this is not the end of success, yet a starting point of my strength that will encourage me to continue to develop myself and to develop my country by which I adhere to the principle of life that ‘To live a good life you must constantly improve yourself and that self-improvement will require perseverance and patience,’” concluded Mr. Atirut.

Art & Design students selected for UiTM’s unicorn scholar program

Posted on by FSSR Editorial Team

Two students from the Faculty of Art & Design were chosen as the 30 Finalists for the UiTM Unicorn Scholar Program. Abdul Hafy Shah bin Abd Halim Shah from the Printing Technology Department and Siti Nur Nadia from the Textile Design Department were selected for their unique business interest and innovative products.

Abdul Hafy Shah has a company called AHS Ideas that focuses on robotics classes. It is a start-up company that invented advanced products that can be used in the classroom by utilising robotic and augmented reality technology.

Meanwhile, Siti Nur Nadia runs a retail business that specialises in selling printed scarves. Dinda Apparel, her company, also created an innovative solution for textile printing and digital fashion, by using augmented reality on its website to achieve virtual fitting through online purchase.

UiTM Unicorn Scholar Program (USP) is a premier program organised by UiTM in partnership between Malaysian Academy of SME & Entrepreneurship Development (MASMED), UiTM, Malaysia, the Entrepreneurship Unit, Education Planning & Research Division, Ministry of Higher Education, and UiTM Business Network Alumni (ALUMNI BIZNET).

The program allows UiTM residents, particularly students, to put their entrepreneurial skills to practice in the context of real-world business. The programme also serves as a platform for students to improve their entrepreneurial skills and provide prospects for employment and business opportunities for UiTM students while studying or upon graduation.

Through this flagship programme, students will receive mentoring from successful UiTM entrepreneurial alumni and be exposed to the skills and techniques needed to venture into the field of entrepreneurship.

Smart collaborations between universities and the industry through such programmes are critical in enhancing the entrepreneurial culture and forming a supportive ecosystem that will ensure student business sustainability. This collaboration is one of UiTM’s ongoing efforts to develop holistic graduates, enhance graduate employability, and increase the number of entrepreneurial graduates who choose entrepreneurship as a career option.

LETI scientists invent cancer treatment with nanomagnets

Posted on by Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University

Oncological diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The number of cancer cases is increasing every year — according to scientists from the American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2040, specialists will diagnose 28.4 million new cases of cancer, 47 percent more than in 2020.

Today, one of the main methods of treating different tumors is chemotherapy using cytostatics, which disrupt the growth of both cancer cells and healthy cells.

“One of the promising approaches aimed at solving the problem of cytostatics toxicity is the method of targeted transport of drugs using nanoscale carriers that provide local accumulation of drugs in tumor tissue without increasing their concentration in healthy organs and tissues,” commented Kamil Gareev, Associate Professor of the Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics at ETU “LETI.”

Scientists from St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and their colleagues from the Almazov National Medical Research Center proposed a new approach of using magnetic nanoparticles in target drug delivery. The results will form the basis for the development of magnetically controlled transport of cytostatic drugs into tumor tissue.

The essence of the described principle is to place a stent — a mesh made of a shape-memory alloy with neodymium magnets attached to it — into the cavitary organ affected by the tumor. Over several cycles of blood circulation, the magnetic nanoparticles concentrate at the site with the stent.

“In vivo experiments confirm that there is a concentration of particles in the tissue. This suggests that in the foreseeable future, it will be possible to move on to preclinical studies,” says Kamil Gareev.

At this stage, scientists mathematically calculated the optimal magnetic field characteristics for controlling magnetic nanoscale drug carriers in the body, synthesized a conjugate of magnetic nanoscale particles and a fluorescent agent, and developed a protocol for their visualization in the body. Plans of the researchers include the transition to experiments on more advanced biogenic particles.