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VISIT & POST-HARVEST PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY MEETING AT AIMST UNIVERSITY POSTHARVEST GROUP, INSTITUTE of BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FACULTY of SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY of MALAYA
15 – 16 April 2008
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The delegation consisting of Prof. Dr. Amru N Boyce, Former Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Wong Khoon Meng and Dr. Chandran Somasundram along with three Ph.D scholars and five M.Sc. students from the IBS Postharvest Group, visited AIMST University on 15 & 16 April 2008. AIMST University was pleased to provide honorary accommodation for the UM visitors at our new Guest Villas and Staff Apartments on Semeling campus.
At an introductory meeting on 15 April 2008 with the Department of Biotechnology staff, Prof. Helen Nair, Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, presented a general overview of the University and Faculty followed by a discussion on AIMST B.Sc. (Hons) Biotechnology programme. Staff also highlighted their various research interests. The Visitors and Faculty staff “chilled-out” in the evening at a dinner party hosted by Prof. Helen at the Dean’s Residence on campus, which was also graced by the Vice Chancellor, COO and some Senior Staff of the University.
On 16 April, the UM visitors accompanied by Prof. Helen, James Bonney and four department staff, set off for Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak). Prof. Wong kept the group enthralled with his remarkable knowledge of the rainforest and its biodiversity. A scientific meeting was held in the afternoon with some staff of the department. UM postgraduate students presented their work on post-harvest physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of fruits (e.g. banana, dragon-fruit) and orchids, while Prof. Wong’s students also discussed their projects on the molecular systematics of bamboo and mango. Highlighted was the prospect for future collaboration between the two universities. The tired but happy visitors returned to KL after a last session on our splendid running track – “among the best in the country”!
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