16.3 – Working with Government

16.3.3 – Participation in Government Research

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has long upheld its mission to contribute to societal advancement, notably through its active engagement in policy-focused research. By collaborating with various government departments and agencies, UKM aligns its research efforts with national priorities, addressing pressing issues across a broad spectrum, from public health to environmental sustainability and social policy. Through these partnerships, UKM leverages its academic expertise to drive evidence-based policy development, influencing public decision-making processes and fostering progressive governance. These collaborations allow UKM to serve as a key knowledge partner, enabling the translation of research insights into actionable policies that meet the needs of diverse communities across Malaysia.

The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) Project

One of the most prominent examples of UKM’s policy-driven research initiatives is The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project, led by Professor Datuk A. Rahman bin A. Jamal from the Faculty of Medicine. Supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) with a substantial funding commitment of RM 65,000,000 (USD 14,845,824.10), this long-term research endeavour, which began in 2007 and is projected to continue through 2025, exemplifies UKM’s dedication to national health priorities. TMC is a long-term research project involving more than 100,000 participants aiming to identify risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and to discover biomarkers enabling better detection and prognostication of these diseases. 

Besides non-communicable diseases, sero-epidemiological studies on clinically important arthropod-borne diseases such as dengue, Chikungunya and Zika amongst the TMC participants are also being carried out. Insights from this cohort study are integral to shaping national health policies, enabling more effective health planning, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to improve public health outcomes. Through collaborations like this, UKM plays a pivotal role in providing evidence-based data that directly informs government health initiatives, underscoring the university’s commitment to translating academic research into meaningful societal impacts.

Source: https://www.ukm.my/mycohort/ms/

Green Pre-Treatment System for Solid Recovery in Aquaculture Effluent

Another impactful project led by UKM in the realm of environmental sustainability is spearheaded by Prof. Ir. Dr. Rozaimah@Siti Rozaimah Binti Sheikh Abdullah from the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment. Her project, Green Pre-Treatment System for Solid Recovery in Aquaculture Effluent, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) with RM 1,023,200 (USD 233,696.11), is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at addressing both environmental and aquaculture sustainability. By focusing on efficient pre-treatment systems, the project seeks to reduce environmental impact by improving solid waste management in aquaculture. Outcomes from this research hold significant potential to inform and shape national environmental policies, contributing to sustainable aquaculture practices and aligning with Malaysia’s broader sustainability goals. Through projects like this, UKM demonstrates its dedication to pioneering environmental innovations that resonate with national and global ecological priorities.

Title: Coagulation–flocculation of aquaculture effluent using biobased flocculant: From artificial to real wastewater optimization by response surface methodology

• Authors: Setyo Budi Kurniawan, Muhammad Fauzul Imron, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Ahmad Razi Othman, Hassimi Abu Hasan
• Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering, Volume 53, July 2023
• Description: This study characterizes bioflocculant produced from Serratia marcescens and applies it to treat artificial turbid water and real aquaculture effluent, optimizing treatment conditions using response surface methodology.

Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103869

Environmental Impact: The project on aquaculture effluent recovery contributes to sustainable environmental practices, potentially informing government regulations on waste management and environmental protection.

Understanding Risk Factors, Prevalence, and Elements of Trajectories Among Adolescents Involved in Poly-Drugs and ATS Abuse

In the social sciences sphere, Professor Dr. Rozmi bin Ismail from the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities is at the forefront of research addressing critical issues related to youth substance abuse. His project, titled Understanding Risk Factors, Prevalence, and Elements of Trajectories Among Adolescents Involved in Poly-Drugs and ATS Abuse, is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) with a funding commitment of RM 524,300 (USD 119,748.70). This study seeks to uncover the underlying risk factors, prevalence, and behavioural patterns associated with adolescent poly-drug and amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) abuse. By generating comprehensive data on these issues, the project provides essential insights to guide public health and safety policy formulation, aiming to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse and mitigate its impact on society. This research underscores UKM’s commitment to addressing social challenges and contributing to national policy development in the field of youth health and safety.

In 2023, Prof. Dr. Rozmi bin Ismail and his research team published several significant papers as part of their project on adolescent poly-drug and amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) abuse. Notable publication include:

Title: “Risk and Protective Factors in Predicting Drug and Substance Abuse Among Malaysian Youths”

• Authors: Rozmi Ismail, Azmawati Mohammed Nawi, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Hilwa Abdullah Mohd, Norhayati Ibrahim, Iskandar Hassan Tan Abdullah, Shafiin Shukor
• Journal: Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, April 2023
• Description: This paper identifies and analyses various risk and protective factors associated with drug and substance abuse among Malaysian youths, offering a comprehensive overview of the determinants influencing substance use behaviors.

Source: https://doaj.org/article/1a6484f5bbed42e2904b9ac2ad480b60

Impact to Public Safety: The research on adolescent drug abuse plays a crucial role in informing national drug control strategies and preventive measures, contributing to safer communities.

In summary, UKM’s collaboration with government bodies in research initiatives highlights its commitment to addressing national challenges through evidence-based insights and innovative solutions. Professor Datuk A. Rahman bin A. Jamal’s leadership in The Malaysian Cohort has significantly advanced the understanding of health risks and chronic diseases within Malaysia, providing critical data to shape national health policies and enhance preventive healthcare strategies. Similarly, Prof. Ir. Dr. Rozaimah@Siti Rozaimah Binti Sheikh Abdullah’s work on developing sustainable pre-treatment systems for aquaculture effluent underscores UKM’s dedication to environmental sustainability, contributing valuable knowledge for policy development in sustainable waste management. Professor Dr. Rozmi bin Ismail’s research on adolescent poly-drug and ATS abuse also exemplifies UKM’s proactive role in social sciences, yielding insights that are essential for formulating effective public health and safety policies to combat youth substance abuse. Together, these research projects, backed by government funding and aligned with national priorities, exemplify UKM’s vital role as a knowledge partner in fostering sustainable and impactful policy frameworks across diverse fields.