JOHOR BAHRU, June 26 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is dedicated to promoting science-led innovation through community-driven platforms, as demonstrated by the recent “UTM Innovation Talk” held on June 26. This impactful webinar, organised by the International Student Society (ISS) – Yemen and ISS – Palestine, attracted over 60 participants from various academic, entrepreneurial, and medical backgrounds to discuss how UTM research is being applied in the real world.
The talk aimed to bridge the gap between research and society by empowering students to transform scientific insights into practical outcomes. As part of UTM’s mission to cultivate globally-minded graduates and foster socially impactful innovation, the event also promoted cross-cultural and interdisciplinary engagement within the UTM student community.
A highlight of the event was the participation of two renowned UTM researchers who have successfully turned their academic work into solutions that offer both commercial and social value.
Dr. Mariani Abdul Hamid, the founder of Biopro Cosmeceutical and the scientist behind the award-winning DERMAGs®️ natural skincare line, presented a talk titled “From Lab to Life: Safe, Natural Skincare Innovations.” During her presentation, she explained how her PhD research led to the creation of skincare products that utilise mangosteen extract, leveraging Malaysia’s rich biodiversity for a global market.
Following the session, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Asnida Abdul Wahab, a distinguished expert in biomedical engineering and artificial intelligence, delivered a talk titled “FutureCare: Transforming Healthcare Through Biomedical Innovation.” She discussed her research on AI-integrated thermal imaging tools designed to aid in the early detection of breast cancer, highlighting how proactive innovations can redefine patient care.
“By merging AI with medical diagnostics, we’re not just improving healthcare, we’re making it faster, safer and more accessible,” said Dr. Asnida.
The session, moderated by Joory Amoun, a final-year chemical engineering student at UTM, included engaging discussions and Q&A segments. Joory’s thoughtful moderation helped the audience, which consisted mainly of aspiring researchers, connect with the speakers’ journeys and gain practical insights.
“As a student, hearing directly from successful researchers who have turned ideas into real-world impact was incredibly motivating,” said Osama, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. “It shows us that with the right guidance and determination, we can do the same.”
The discussion also covered key topics, including intellectual property, navigating Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem, and the importance of perseverance in research commercialisation.
“We are proud to create platforms where science meets society,” said the organizing committee. “Events like this reflect UTM’s commitment to nurturing research that not only advances knowledge but also transforms lives.”
Source: UTM NewsHub