Professor Gary Dykes

Monash University is seeking collaborations with public and private universities, research institutions, and industry, to conduct leading-edge research.

Chair of the Campus Research Committee Prof Dr Gary Dykes recently said that the campus was currently investing in large initiatives and wanted to invest funds in research efforts that would benefit the country.

“From our perspective, one of the primary aims of Monash University on its establishment in Malaysia is to engage with local institutions and companies,” he said.

Among the fields where research activities are sought are: Asian economic development; bioactive compounds; environment and green technology; infection and immunity, and neuroscience.

“We are talking about aligning with Malaysia’s national priorities and we cannot do that in a vacuum but need suitable partners to work with us,” he said at the National Proteomics Seminar organised by Monash University Sunway campus.

Higher impact research, Prof Dykes elaborated, would lead to better outcomes for various industries, for example, the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), formed under the Global Public Health Research Strength at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“The number of research students has been growing every year. Since investing in students, research and infrastructure, we hope to see measurable outputs,” he said.

Between 2007 and 2010, the number of publications by Monash University Sunway campus academics has increased from 85 to 183.

“The growth has been sustainable. At the moment, we are focusing on external engagement and looking for collaborations that would allow us to use the resources that we have,” Prof Dykes said.

Earlier, Prof Dykes opened the National Proteomics Symposium and Forum organised under the Infection and Immunity Research Strength under the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr Jaya Vejayan

Proteomics is a scientific field or tool used to study proteins in biological samples. Some 110 participants from public and private academic or research institutions in the country attended the one-day program.

Symposium and forum chairman Dr Jaya Vejayan said that the event presented an insight on the application of proteomics for new users and enhance the understanding of others already using the technique.

“The forum conducted was a first of its kind for proteomics. It pioneered the possibility for participants to learn as a group by discussing their experiences in conducting two-dimensional electrophoresis,” he said.