Collaborative Research Meetings between UiTM and Vietnamese Institutions Boost Cross-Cultural Ties and Advance Science

Researchers from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia and several academic institutions in Hanoi, Vietnam, recently gathered for a series of collaborative research meetings aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and strengthening cross-cultural ties. The meetings, which were made possible by the PhosAgro/IUPAC/UNESCO Green Chemistry Grant for Young Scientists, involved researchers from UiTM’s Coordination Chemistry Group and scholars from the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Group at Phenikaa University and the School of Chemical Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), among others.

On February 27th, scholars from the Coordination Chemistry Group, FSG, UiTM, and the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Group at Phenikaa University gathered for a collaborative research meeting. The meeting concluded with a laboratory visit, where the ALD Group showcased their innovative ideas and groundbreaking research.

On February 28th, UiTM experts delivered an engaging seminar titled “Coordination Chemistry for ALD Precursor and Advanced Catalyst Synthesis.” The seminar was followed by a high-level meeting with Phenikaa University’s Vice President and Head of the International Office, where fruitful discussions on future activities such as staff and student mobility, co-authorship, global lectures, regional grant applications, and internships at Phenikaa Industry took place.

On March 1st, researchers from the Coordination Chemistry Group held an enthralling collaborative research meeting with distinguished academics from Hanoi University of Science and Technology’s School of Chemical Engineering (HUST). During the meeting, researchers introduced their institutions and provided a complete description of their research. The discussion finished with a tour of numerous teaching and postgraduate laboratories at the School of Chemical Engineering, as well as laboratories in another building outfitted with advanced instrumentation such as German Vietnam Catalysis Center.

On March 2nd, a collaborative research meeting was organised between VNU, Hanoi, and UiTM. Dr. Mac Dinh Hung and Dr. Huu Tuyen Le, both famous VNU lecturers, delivered a brief yet interesting discussion of their study topics in medicinal chemistry, toxicology, and food safety, respectively. Future VNU-UiTM collaborations were considered, including staff and student mobility, co-authorship, global lectures, and regional funding submissions.

Overall, this collaborative research visit between the Coordination Chemistry Group of UiTM and top academic institutions in Hanoi, Vietnam, was a resounding success in terms of information exchange, progress presentation, and discussions about prospective future collaborations. The researchers engaged in fruitful talks, which resulted in possible collaborations and plans for staff and student mobility, co-authorship, worldwide lectures, and regional funding applications.

The visit’s success highlights the value of international collaborations in boosting knowledge exchange, research excellence, and cross-cultural understanding. It also showcases UiTM’s commitment to fostering sustainable solutions for the chemical industry and their efforts to partner with leading institutions worldwide to achieve this goal.

UiTM researchers are:
ChM. Dr Shahrul Nizam Ahmad
ChM. Dr Amalina Mohd Tajuddin
Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr Karimah Kassim