16.3 – Working with government

16.3.3 – Participation in government research

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has long upheld its mission to contribute to societal advancement, notably through its active engagement in policy-focused research. By collaborating with various government departments and agencies, UKM aligns its research efforts with national priorities, addressing pressing issues across a broad spectrum, from public health to environmental sustainability and social policy. Through these partnerships, UKM leverages its academic expertise to drive evidence-based policy development, influencing public decision-making processes and fostering progressive governance. These collaborations allow UKM to serve as a key knowledge partner, enabling the translation of research insights into actionable policies that meet the needs of diverse communities across Malaysia.

1. The Malaysian Cohort

One of the most prominent examples of UKM’s policy-driven research initiatives is The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project, led by Professor Datuk A. Rahman bin A. Jamal from the Faculty of Medicine. Supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) with a substantial funding commitment of RM 65,000,000 (USD 14,845,824.10), this long-term research endeavor, which began in 2007 and is projected to continue through 2025, exemplifies UKM’s dedication to national health priorities. TMC is a long-term research project involving more than 100,000 participants aiming to identify risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and to discover biomarkers enabling better detection and prognostication of these diseases. 

Besides non-communicable diseases, sero-epidemiological studies on clinically important arthropod-borne diseases such as dengue, Chikungunya and Zika amongst the TMC participants are also being carried out. Insights from this cohort study are integral to shaping national health policies, enabling more effective health planning, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to improve public health outcomes. Through collaborations like this, UKM plays a pivotal role in providing evidence-based data that directly informs government health initiatives, underscoring the university’s commitment to translating academic research into meaningful societal impacts.

2. Green Pre-Treatment System for Solid Recovery in Aquaculture Effluent

Another impactful project led by UKM in the realm of environmental sustainability is spearheaded by Prof. Ir. Dr. Rozaimah@Siti Rozaimah Binti Sheikh Abdullah from the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment. Her project, Green Pre-Treatment System for Solid Recovery in Aquaculture Effluent, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) with RM 1,023,200 (USD 233,696.11), is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at addressing both environmental and aquaculture sustainability. By focusing on efficient pre-treatment systems, the project seeks to reduce environmental impact by improving solid waste management in aquaculture. Outcomes from this research hold significant potential to inform and shape national environmental policies, contributing to sustainable aquaculture practices and aligning with Malaysia’s broader sustainability goals. Through projects like this, UKM demonstrates its dedication to pioneering environmental innovations that resonate with national and global ecological priorities.

Title: 
“Coagulation–flocculation of aquaculture effluent using biobased flocculant: From artificial to real wastewater optimization by response surface methodology”

• Authors: Setyo Budi Kurniawan, Muhammad Fauzul Imron, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Ahmad Razi Othman, Hassimi Abu Hasan
• Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering, Volume 53, July 2023
• Description: This study characterizes bioflocculant produced from Serratia marcescens and applies it to treat artificial turbid water and real aquaculture effluent, optimizing treatment conditions using response surface methodology.
• Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103869

Environmental Impact: The project on aquaculture effluent recovery contributes to sustainable environmental practices, potentially informing government regulations on waste management and environmental protection.

3. High Efficiency Solar Panels using Advanced Materials

The project “High Efficiency Solar Panels using Advanced Materials”, led by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Adib Ibrahim from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and funded by MIMOS Berhad with a grant of approximately RM8.56 million, focuses on developing next-generation solar panels with superior energy conversion efficiency using advanced material technologies. Conducted under the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI-UKM), the research explores innovative semiconductor materials, nanostructures, and tandem solar cell architectures to enhance performance, durability, and stability under Malaysia’s tropical climate. By integrating advanced absorbers and transport layers, the project aims to overcome limitations of conventional silicon-based panels and pave the way for high-efficiency, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solar technologies. The initiative supports Malaysia’s renewable energy transition while strengthening local R&D capacity, industry collaboration, and technological self-reliance in the solar energy sector.

UKM’s collaboration with government bodies in research initiatives highlights its commitment to addressing national challenges through evidence-based insights and innovative solutions. Professor Datuk A. Rahman bin A. Jamal’s leadership in The Malaysian Cohort has significantly advanced the understanding of health risks and chronic diseases within Malaysia, providing critical data to shape national health policies and enhance preventive healthcare strategies. Similarly, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rozaimah@Siti Rozaimah Binti Sheikh Abdullah’s work on developing sustainable pre-treatment systems for aquaculture effluent underscores UKM’s dedication to environmental sustainability, contributing valuable knowledge for policy development in sustainable waste management.