Horizon Europe VOLATEVS Cross-Border Collaboration Summit 2025

Group photo of distinguished guests and participants during the opening ceremony

SUBANG JAYA, 27-28 October 2025 – The School of Science at Monash University Malaysia successfully hosted the two-day Horizon Europe VOLATEVS Cross-Border Collaboration Summit 2025, bringing together leading researchers, industry experts, and diplomatic representatives from Europe and Southeast Asia to advance collaborative pathways in biomedical innovation.

The summit served as a platform for discussion, training, and future collaboration. Guests included around 50 participants from partner institutions in Estonia, Romania, Sweden, Italy, and Malaysia, representing universities, industry, and research centres.

Welcoming remarks by Her Excellency Mrs. Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia

Her Excellency Mrs Nineta Bărbulescu, Ambassador of Romania to Malaysia, delivered the official welcome, emphasising the importance of international scientific cooperation in driving innovation and societal impact. Professor Emily Goh Joo Kheng, Head of the School of Science, expressed the university’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for collaborative research.

Opening remarks and Summit Declaration by Dr Lee Wai-Leng, Chair of the VOLATEVS Summit 2025 & Co-Principal Investigator, Horizon Europe VOLATEVS Project

Chaired by Dr Lee Wai-Leng, the summit featured keynote sessions on Horizon Europe grant mechanisms, contributions from the VOLATEVS consortium, and hands-on workshops on single–cell technology and volatolomics. Delegates explored how to translate research ideas into competitive grant proposals under the MSCA-SE programme.

Dr Lee noted:

“This summit has not only deepened our scientific connections but also positioned Monash Malaysia as a gateway between European and Asian research ecosystems. I am excited about the partnerships and proposals that will grow from this gathering.”

Roundtable Discussion: Building Collaborative Pathways in Grant Applications by Professor Goh Bey Hing (Sunway University)

The programme included interactive elements such as a roundtable titled “From VOLATEVS to Horizon Europe: Building Pathways for Future Collaborative Grants”, where attendees identified collaborative themes, partner networks, and actionable next steps.

Organising Committee of the VOLATEVS Summit 2025

The successful event underscores Monash University Malaysia’s strategy to expand its international research footprint, nurture cross-border scientific networks, and support capacity building among young researchers in Malaysia.

For more information and post-event materials, visit the VOLATEVS Summit page.