UMPSA and CLSU celebrate COAR 2025 focusing on knowledge sharing in Biotechnology and Agriculture

GAMBANG, 17 June 2025 - The Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology (FIST), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has successfully organized the 5th Academic and Research Colloquium (COAR 2025) in collaboration with the College of Fisheries, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Philippines. 

This program is a continuation of the COAR colloquium series that has been taking place since 2021 as an initiative to strengthen international academic and research networks.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Dean of FIST, UMPSA, Associate Professor Dr. Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli, welcoming the presence of Vice-President, Student Affairs CLSU, Professor Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco and Acting Dean of the College of Fisheries, CLSU, Associate Professor Dr. Hazel Monica Matias-Peralta as the main co-organizer of the program.

COAR 2025, themed ‘Sustainable Biotechnology for Food Security’, focuses on research and education efforts in agricultural biotechnology that are relevant to global food security challenges. 

The program brought together researchers and academics from both universities with the presence of guest speakers from CLSU, namely Director of the Crop and Resources Research and Development Center (CRRDC), Associate Professor Dr. Franz Marielle Garcia, Head of the Food Science and Technology Department, Associate Professor Dr. Joel Juvinal and Head of the Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development (CTMRD), Professor Dr. Rich Milton Dulay. 

Meanwhile, FIST UMPSA also featured experienced researchers including Associate Professor Dr. Nina Suhaity Azmi, Dr. Mohd Fazli Farida Asras, and Dr. Nazira Mahmud as head of the Industrial Biotechnology Program. 

The program, conducted via Google Meet and live-streamed on the official Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology - FIST Facebook page and FISTUMPSATV YouTube channel, was attended by over 120 participants, including students and researchers from both institutions.

According to the program director, Associate Professor Dr. Tan Suat Hian, this collaboration not only strengthens the bilateral relationship between UMPSA and CLSU, but also opens up space for the implementation of student exchange programs, international industrial training, Global Classroom activities, and the development of joint research projects of international standard.

COAR 2025 is also a strategic field in supporting the implementation of UMPSA's 2021-2025 Strategic Cores, namely Holistic Graduates (1A), New Knowledge Generation (3A), and Student Internationalization (6A).

Previous COAR events also involved international collaborations with institutions such as the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (2021), Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia (2022), University of The Philippines Diliman (2023) and Universitas Negeri Malang (2024).

UMPSA, through FSTI, continues to be committed to expanding its global network and developing academic and research capacity in line with the university's aspirations towards international excellence.

By: Dr. Nor Hasmaliana Abdul Manas And Dr. Aishah Mohd Marsin, Faculty Of Industrial Science And Technology (FIST)